Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCVIII NO. 19, October 15, 2022

Book Festival Preview & Education

Author Talks, Q & A, and Book Signings

November 3−21, 2022

Don’t miss one of the most highly regarded cultural events in the Southeast!

Hear from, meet, and interact with the year’s most renowned authors, entertainers, thought leaders, and culture icons. With countless award-winning and bestselling authors, our Book Festival is truly unlike any

Thursday, Nov 3 • 7:30 pm

Jon Meacham

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

Saturday, Nov 5 • 8:00 pm

Melissa Rivers Lies My Mother Told Me: Tall Tales from a Short Woman

Sunday, Nov 6 • 7:00 pm

Bernie Marcus with Catherine Lewis Kick Up Some Dust

Monday, Nov 7 • 7:30 pm

Ira Rosen

Ticking Clock: Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes

Wednesday, Nov 9 • 7:30 pm

Julia Haart

Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lingerie

Saturday, Nov 12 • 8:00 pm

Andrew Young and Ernie Suggs

The Many Lives of Andrew Young

Sunday, Nov 13 • 7:30 pm

Nikki R. Haley

If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons from Bold Women

Tuesday, Nov 15 • 7:30 pm

Daughter of Paul Newman and Joanne Clea Newman Soderlund

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir by Paul Newman

Wednesday, Nov 16 • 7:30 pm Michael F. Roizen, M.D.

The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow

Saturday, Nov 19 • 8:00 pm

Nyle DiMarco

Deaf Utopia: A Memoir — and a Love Letter to a Way of Life

Designed for dreamers and makers

For every pursuit, SCAD offers students a wonderland of resources designed to surpass top studios, startups, and firms.

The XR stage at SCAD's Savannah Film Studios, the most comprehensive university film studio in the U.S.

THIS

PUBLISHER

MICHAEL

KAYLENE

CONTRIBUTORS

ADVERTISING

Rosh Hashanah Honored at the White House

By Nathan Posner

President Joe Biden made history in October becoming the first president to hold a Rosh Hashanah celebration at the White House. The Biden administration has held several Jewish events since tak ing office in January of 2021, but arguably none as exciting as the White House’s first-ever Rosh Hashanah celebration.

The White House has regularly hosted a Chanukah party for the public since the George W. Bush administration, which has become an annual go-to for many Washington, D.C. Jews as a large menorah is placed on the White House lawn and a party is held indoors.

Other past Jewish celebrations have included a Passover seder, which has occurred under several administra tions, but Friday’s celebration marked one of the largest Jewish celebrations at the White House for a holiday ever. As vice president, Biden held the first-ever Rosh Hashanah celebration at the U.S. Naval Observatory, the residence of the vice president, which now has mezuzot adorned to its doors as Second Gentle man Doug Emhoff noted proudly on Friday. But this event marked the first High Holidays celebration ever held by a White House, according to the president.

As White House-branded yarmulkes were passed out in the historic venue, President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden entered to cheers which grew loud er as Jewish Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Har ris followed behind.

Dr. Biden spoke briefly at the event, remarking on the meaning of the High Holidays and the days between and their significance to Jews whom it offers a chance for “reflection and repentance” while also calling for “introspection.” She soon introduced Emhoff, who was greet ed by loud applause upon arriving at the podium.

A Jewish native of Brooklyn, Emhoff is the first Jewish spouse of the first or second families and has regularly cele brated his ancestry and beliefs. Speaking to the crowd about how he has celebrated his Judaism over the past year and a half, Emhoff spoke of how, “The doorposts [at the Naval Observatory] are protected by mezuzot…that’s two mezuzahs. We hosted a Passover seder. We’ve lit a his toric menorah for Channukah. But now, we gather in the White House during the Days of Awe…between Rosh Hashanah

and Yom Kippur.”

Recounting how he spent Rosh Ha shanah as a child, Emhoff smiled as he recalled, “In my family, Rosh Hashanah meant a trip to my grandmother’s apart ment in Brooklyn. And I can still smell that brisket cooking, and burning, in the kitchen.

"I can still taste the slightly warm challah, but slightly stale, on the table. And, of course, as a lot of you remember, my grandmother begged all of us kids not to jump on the couch because “I took the plastic coverings off!’”

As he began to introduce the presi dent, Emhoff turned to a more serious subject, discussing how “Jews worldwide face horrendous discrimination and vio lence and antisemitism.”

Emhoff spoke of the dangers to all Americans from hate and intolerance, and how the current administration be lieves in combatting antisemitism. After concluding his remarks, Emhoff intro duced President Biden, saying, “As the Jewish community in the United States and Israel and around the world take stock and renew our hopes for the start to 5783, we are grateful to be sharing it in the home of one of the Jewish commu nity’s best friends.”

Adorned by screens displaying “Sha na Tova,” the president joked how both he and Emhoff had “married way above our station[s].” After thanking several attend ees and speaking briefly on the devasta tion of Hurricane Ian, Biden said he was “honored to host the first Rosh Hashanah

reception at the Naval Observatory…and humbled to host the first High Holidays events in the White House.”

Biden spoke of his long relation ship with the Jewish community, and his friendship with Rabbi Michael Beals of Wilmington, saying, “I probably went to synagogue more than many of you did.” Although a practicing Catholic, Biden cel ebrated how he felt when spending time with the Wilmington Jewish community, saying, “And just like rabbis, synagogues and Jewish community centers in your hometowns, you’re always there; your congregations are there for you and for everyone in the neighborhood, whether they’re Jewish or not.”

Continuing a theme from both Dr. Biden and Emhoff, President Biden high

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are pictured during the White House’s celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

(From left) First Lady Dr. Jill Biden looks on as President Joe Biden speaks while Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff share a laugh.

lighted the importance of the High Holi days as a time for repentance, quoting the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, “[Rabbi Sacks] once said that the most important lesson of the High Holidays is that noth ing, nothing, is broken beyond repair…It’s never too late to change and to be better. I’ve always believed that message, and I also think it’s universal.”

Harkening back to a moment earlier on in his presidency, Biden spoke fondly of his July visit to Israel where he met two Holocaust survivors, before return ing to combating antisemitism saying, “I think that, after all they experienced in the 1940s, today they’re witnessing a record-high antisemitism in 2022, they never thought would be the case again.”

Repeating a theme from throughout

his presidency, Biden remarked on his efforts to combat hate and the danger it presents to the nation, saying, “I’ve made it clear since I was elected…hate can have no safe harbor. It’s never defeated; it only hides. It hides under rocks. And when we breathe a little oxygen under those rocks… failure to call it out is complicity, and the silence is complicity…We can’t remain si lent. The rest of the world looks to us.”

After touting his efforts to combat antisemitism, the president reinforced his commitment to the Jewish communi ty in combating hatred, saying, “I’m not going to remain silent. We can’t remain silent…If we let it go, democracy and ev erything else is at stake.”

On a more hopeful note, President Biden concluded his remarks with his

hopes for the new year, saying he prays that from “one of the most difficult mo ments that we’ve gone through in a long time, we emerge stronger,” before en couraging the crowd to follow the direc tions of the Talmud, as he quoted: “It is not required that you complete the work, neither may you refrain from it.”

Before departing, the president in vited guests to listen to renowned Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman, who played for the audience, which included sev eral high-level Jewish politicians. Among those in attendance were three of the five Jewish cabinet members: Attorney General Merrick Garland, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.

As encouraging as the numerous Jew ish events held at the White House under previous administrations, this most re cent celebration continued to add to the list of “firsts” of Jewish celebrations that have occurred under President Biden, albeit many virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, often presented by Emhoff.

Emhoff has brought an unprecedent ed level of Jewish representation to the first and second families and has proudly celebrated his Judaism even as rising anti semitism continues to threaten the Amer ican Jewish community from all sides of the political spectrum.

As President Biden noted, “[the] resil ient belief in the promise of tomorrow is embodied in thousands of years of Jewish history and in the story of America.” ì

White House-branded yarmulkes were passed out in the historic venue.

President Joe Biden vowed to combat antisemitism while speaking at a celebration of Rosh Hashanah held at the White House.

Vice President Kamala Harris and husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, are pictured at the White House’s celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

(From left) President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff are pictured at the White’s House celebration of Rosh Hashanah. // Photos by Nathan Posner for the AJT

Warnock Campaigns with Jewish Supporters

By Dave Schechter

Repeated surveys have found that Jewish voters — the majority of whom identify as Democrats by party and lib eral or moderate by philosophy — priori tize domestic issues ahead of Israel when they cast their ballots.

That was reflected in remarks deliv ered by Democratic Sen. Raphael War nock on Oct. 3 to an event in Dunwoody hosted by the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), the Jewish Democrat ic Women’s Salon of Atlanta, and Jewish Democratic Women for Action.

Warnock, who remains the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in At lanta, preached on such issues as defend ing democracy and voting rights, protect ing abortion rights, expanding health care access and affordability, and invest ing in infrastructure.

Warnock was introduced by Mi chael Rosenzweig, an Atlantan and the JDCA’s vice chair for management and operations, as “a good and staunch friend of the Jewish community” and “unyield

Israel’s right to self-defense.”

The senator himself did not mention Israel until he was asked in a post-event gaggle with reporters about his omission of a subject that usually receives at least passing attention when candidates ap peal to Jewish groups for support.

“My commitment to Israel, its right to exist, and the importance of having a

with its neighbors, is well established. A lot of the people in this audience have worked with me on that issue, and I look forward to continuing to work with them on this issue,” Warnock said, responding to a question from the AJT.

Warnock defeated appointed Re publican Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a January 2021 runoff to fill the two years remain

Sen. Johnny Isakson, who had stepped down due to ill health. Polls show that Warnock, who is seeking a full, six-year term, is in a close race with Republican Herschel Walker. Georgia law requires that the winner in an election receive the majority of the votes cast and the pres ence of the Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver on the Nov. 8 general election bal lot could force a Dec. 6 runoff.

“It’s great to be among friends,” War nock told the 200-plus who attended inperson and more viewing online, “and I need us to do it one more time.”

A Jewish Electorate Institute nation al survey of 800 self-identified registered Jewish voters, interviewed Aug. 25 to Sept. 1 by GBAO Research, asked which two is sues “are most important to you” when voting for Congress in November. The fu ture of democracy (45 percent), abortion (38 percent), inflation and the economy (28 percent), and climate change (25 per cent) topped a list of 11 issues. Israel tied for ninth (7 percent), though 71 percent of respondents described themselves as feeling very or somewhat emotionally at

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock with Rabbi Larry Sernovitz of Temple Kol Emeth and his family. Sernovitz delivered a d’var Torah before the Oct. 3 event in Dunwoody.

“Because you sent me to the Senate, we were able to get great things done for our state and for our families,” Warnock said, beginning his review with the ex panded child tax credit included in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, ap proved by the Democratic-led Congress in 2021 without Republican support.

Warnock touted provisions to fund improved broadband access, notably in rural America, along with repairs to roads, bridges, highways, and water sys tems. “Broadband in the 21st century is what electricity was in the 20th century… Broadband is essential,” he said, citing its role in closing “the homework gap” for children and the growth of “tele-health” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Infrastructure is about bricks and mortar, to be sure, but it’s really about more than that. Infrastructure is about the spirit of a country…the recognition that we live in the same house,” he said.

The Democrat drew chuckles as he described his joining with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas — “We don’t agree on much” — on an amendment to autho rize expansion of Interstate 14 in their states.

Warnock also highlighted two pro visions that he championed in the Infla tion Reduction Act, passed in August by Democrats without Republican support. One caps out-of-pocket spending for Medicare Part D enrollees and the other caps the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Medicare recipients.

According to the Georgia Depart ment of Public Health, more than 12 percent of Georgia adults have diabetes. “One dollar out of four in our health care system nationally is spent on people with

private insurance.

He also cited what he labeled “un precedented” investments in the bill to address climate change. “This issue is urgent. Climate change is an existential threat,” Warnock said.

On the Supreme Court ruling that abortion is not a right protected under the Constitution, Warnock said, “I’m a man of faith and as a man of faith I have profound reverence for life, and I have a deep and abiding respect for choice. A patient’s room is too small and cramped a space for a woman, her doctor, and the United States government. That’s just too many people in the room.”

Warnock noted that his flock at Eb enezer Baptist Church included the late Democratic Rep. John Lewis, sometimes referred to as having been “the con science of the Congress.”

“I’m not trying to fill his big shoes. But I can tell you, after about 18 or 19 months in the Senate, that if the Congress on the House side needs a conscience, the Senate needs a soul,” Warnock said. If reelected, “You’re not getting a senator who used to be a pastor. You’re getting a pas tor in the Senate.”

Warnock, who has long-standing ties to the Atlanta Jewish community, ref erenced the term “tikkun olam,” trans lated as “repairing the world,” a phrase drawn from the Aleinu prayer. “That is the sensibility and conviction that I bring to my job every single day,” he told his au dience of supporters. ì

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock

NEWS

Film Reveals Complex Story of Ethiopian Immigration

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

In September, Atlanta’s Morehouse College was the site of a screening of an Is raeli documentary that dealt with the his toric airlift of 15,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in 1991. The film, “With No Land,” not only told of the miraculous 24-hour mission that set a world record for the most passengers on a single aircraft, but also related some of the difficulties faced by the Ethiopians before, during and after their immigration.

Ethiopian-born Israeli filmmaker Aalam-Warqe Davidian and her hus band, Kobi Davidian, wrote and edited the 80-minute film which used archival footage and firsthand accounts of participants. In the film, they explored the desperation of the Ethiopian Jews and the North Ameri can activists who helped bring subsequent groups of Ethiopians to Israel.

Bringing the film to the Morehouse Col lege Human Rights Festival “was a different angle for me,” said Aalam-Warqe Davidian. “I was curious to show the film to the black community here and to try to see what they would capture in the history. There’s a line about black immigrants and I wondered if

Filmmaker Aalam-Warqe Davidian tells the story of the Ethiopian immigration to Israel in her film, “With No Land.”

they could understand the special situation of Ethiopian Jews.”

In fact, local community leader Lois Frank, who attended the screening, noted that during the question-and-answer ses sion afterwards, one black young man stated that he never knew that Jewish Black

Africans had come to Israel. He called it a “revelation.”

The film, said Frank, was “not all sweet ness and light. Artists tend to be more criti cal.”

“With No Land,” so named because Jews don’t have the freedom to own land in

Filmmaker Aalam-Warqe Davidian tells the story of the Ethiopian immigration to Israel in her film, “With No Land.”

Ethiopia, expands upon the long-told heroic story of what was called Operation Solo mon, and relates the crisis that the Ethiopi ans experienced once in Israel. “There was a spiritual crisis,” Davidian said.

Aalam-Warqe Davidian was 11 years old when she immigrated to Israel. After

Where children and tweens form lifelong friendships, make magical memories, gain confidence, take part in Tikkun Olam, and bond with role-model counselors

“Storytelling has the power to generate empathy in a way that nothing else can,” said Flo Low, founding executive director of BAMAH.

living in Safed for a year, she attended a boarding school in Jerusalem, then high school near Tel Aviv. It was only after the army that she had an opportunity to work with a famous film director and decided to make movies. “I thought it was a good way to express myself, so I studied at the Sam Spiegel Film and Tele vision School and graduated 10 years ago.”

“Most of my movies deal with mother/daughter issues and relationships within immigration sto ries,” she added.

Aalam-Warqe Davidian and her film were brought to the Morehouse Human Rights Film Fes tival by BAMAH Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based inde pendent non-profit arts program that brings Israeli artists and culture to the U.S. The idea, said Flo Low, its founding executive director, is to “inspire and connect people” with Israel. Low, who lived in Israel for 11 years, said “It’s important to build relation ships with different communities.”

Low called Aalam-Warqe Davidian a “visual filmmaker. She tells this historical story and experi ences of the Ethiopian people and tells it with great artistry.” Some of the experiences are painful, she added, but powerful. “We wanted to give a broader platform for her work and wanted to bring these stories to Atlanta and across America. Storytelling has the power to generate empathy in a way that nothing else can. This film tells the story with all its complexities and allows us to get a more nuanced understanding” of the situation.

Low lauded the Consulate General of Israel in Atlanta which was one of the sponsors of the Human Rights Film Festival. In a statement, Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon said, the consulate was proud to support the festival because “social justice and hu man rights are at the core of the State of Israel and our Jewish tradition, as is the value that Israel places on supporting artists and expression through cul tural work.” Through the documentary, she added, Aalam-Warque Davidian “tells an important story that is a part of the story of the State of Israel and the diversity of the Jewish people.”

The five-day festival was held both in-person and virtually this year. ì

CONNECT WITH REAL

There’s one place where you can plug back into what matters.

Where real experiences connect friends and family to the world’s most remarkable animals. Come see how good it feels.

Get tickets at georgiaaquarium.org

Marcus JCCA Raises Record Funds

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

To honor a former nursery school student and raise funds for future young people, the Marcus Jewish Com munity Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) held its 14 th annual Harry Maziar Classic golf tournament at the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, shattering both attendance and proceeds records.

“We are thrilled that this year’s tournament brings the total raised to $4.6 million over the past 14 years,” said MJCCA CEO Jared Powers. More than a half million was raised at this year’s event through contributions and a silent auction. Every dollar we secure helps us raise scholarship funds so families can attend our award-winning camps, accredited preschools, enrich ing after-school programs, and all the activities that make the MJCCA home to so many.”

Every year, the tournament honors an MJCCA member who helped shape Atlanta’s Jewish community. This year, it was native Atlantan and real estate

executive Eliot Arnovitz, who spent his formative years at the MJCCA’s nursery school. He still volunteers for many Jewish organizations, including as a life trustee with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Arnovitz began his career in the family real estate business, M & P Shopping Centers, where, upon his re tirement, he continues to be active in strategic affairs.

“Eliot’s commitment to the Atlan ta Jewish community is exemplary,” said Allen Soden, co-chair of the 2022 tournament. “The turnout at this year’s event is a testament to the longstand ing impact he’s had on the Jewish com munity and the number of people he’s positively affected with his work, advo cacy and volunteer efforts throughout the years.”

More than 200 players partici pated in the golf tournament held in Alpharetta. “This event is extremely important to the entire Jewish commu nity as the MJCCA impacts thousands of lives across the metro Atlanta area,”

Eliot Arnovitz was honored for his long-term support for the Atlanta Jewish community.

U.S. Attorney's Award Honors Neil Rabinovitz

everything you need to flourish.

everything you’d need to flourish for years to come.

all here, in one very captivating place. The wealth of activities. The stylish setting. Fabulous cuisine. Attentive service. And expert assisted living services and healthcare support should the need arise.

everything you need to live your life, your way.

informative

Neil Rabinovitz, community secu rity director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, has received a U.S. Attorney’s Award from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

Rabinovitz, who has held the post since April 2020, was among seven law enforcement and four faith commu nity representatives who “have shared their expertise with hundreds of people in pursuit of prevention, intervention, and suppression of targeted and mass violence,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan said in honoring the recipients. Each “embodies the spirit of public service in a way that inspires us all.”

Buchanan said: “The U.S. Attorney’s Awards are intended to recognize par ticularly superlative work from both within our office and among our part ners who we believe deserve personal recognition. In this way, recipients of the U.S. Attorney’s Award lead others in the law enforcement community by their example, not necessarily in obtain ing convictions, judgments, or statistics, but by their diligence, effectiveness, and adherence to the highest professional ethics.”

Rabinovitz’s role embodies a rela tionship between JFGA and the Secure

Community Network, the nationwide security program sponsored by the Jew ish Federations of North America. While he is paid by JFGA, he technically is an employee of SCN.

Rabinovitz works through SCN and maintains contact with law enforce ment at the local, county, state, and federal level to assess possible threats to the Jewish community. He performs physical and technical security assess ments for Jewish institutions, including synagogues, schools, camps, senior liv ing facilities. In the wake of the January 2022 hostage incident at a Colleyville, Texas, synagogue numerous Jewish in stitutions in Atlanta took advantage of training his office provides in how to re spond to a security incident.

“All of us at the Federation congrat ulate Neil on this much-deserved honor, and we are grateful to him for his tire less work on behalf of our community,” Federation CEO Eric Robbins said in a statement. “It is vital that we work close ly with our law enforcement partners, and Neil has leveraged his prior profes sional experience to continue fostering these connections.”

Neil Rabinovitz, community security director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, has received a U.S. Attorney’s Award from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

HEIGHTEN

specialize in retirement living, because you deserve the very best. That’s why your beautiful apartment home is spacious and wellappointed – making it the ideal place to relax or to entertain.

At Renaissance on Peachtree,

Add in the easy access to wonderful services, amenities and programs right outside your door, and you can live worry-free, confident in the community of friends you build among residents and team members.

maintenance and delicious dining? They’re included

comfort and convenience.

luxurious community living, done right.

JFF and MJCCA Sponsor Sukkot Program

By Bob Bahr

Hundreds of young parents, some pushing strollers and with toddlers in hand took advantage of a warm fall day to turn out for an early Family Sukkot Day at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. The event, which was held on Oct. 2, was sponsored by the center and the Jewish Fertility Foundation, which noted that several of the attendees had benefited from the financial, psychological and edu cational services the organization offers to encourage healthy births.

The Atlanta-based foundation’s di rector of development, Shari Steiner, who helped to staff the sign-in table, believes the event complements the group’s work.

“We’re a family-building organiza tion. Our business is to help people who are struggling to grow their families. So, we want to celebrate with those of our clients who have already succeeded. These chil dren are our miracle babies," she said.

Steiner pointed out that they have had 105 babies born since the organization was started in 2015 and that more than 45

women are pregnant now because of the help they have received. The group was started in 2015 by Elana Frank, who gave birth to children in Israel, where fertility treatments for up to two births are part of the national health service. In the United

The Family Sukkot Program featured arts and crafts related to the holiday.

States, such treatments are often not cov ered by medical insurance and can cost $20,000 or more for each procedure.

So far, the organization has made over $1 million in grants and donated ser vices to help finance medical services that include help with procedures related to invitro fertilization (IVF).

The IVF process also allows for screen ing for genetic diseases such as Tay-Sachs, which has a higher incidence rate among Jewish couples with Ashkenazic ancestry. Only healthy embryos with a high chance of successful maturity are implanted in the womb. According to the Centers for Dis ease Control and Prevention, 17 percent of Jewish women use fertility services.

In the last four years, the organization has expanded to four other cities in the United States, with a fifth expected to be added in the coming year. The group was cited this year by Slingshot, which annual ly compiles its list of “Ten to Watch” young, innovative Jewish organizations that have been particularly successful in meeting ur gent community needs.

Among the many groups who partici pated in the event were three Jewish day schools, the Jewish Kids Groups, which pro vides after-school Jewish education and the MJCCA Day Camps program which had a climbing wall for young would-be campers to test their skills. The director of the sum mer camping program, Mackenzie Sher man, saw the afternoon as an effective way to show off the camp’s facilities.

“I think more than anything, it’s an opportunity for us to walk the walk and be a community partner with Jewish Fertility Foundation,” he said, “and to present some engagement through a Jewish lens with what we offer.”

The event, which also offered holiday

The Marcus Jewish Community Center’s Summer Day Camps sponsored a climbing wall.

music from the MJCCA’s Rabbi Brian Glus man and Sukkot arts and crafts, was one of the first events organized by the center’s new director of experiential education, Kelly Cohen. She began work in June, after successfully launching JumpSpark ATL, the innovative teen program that is spon sored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. She sees her new job not only as developing an attractive new educational program but of providing an entry point particularly for the young, who are seeking a deeper engagement with the Jewish life.

“I’m always an advocate for points of entry,” Cohen points out. “I like to think that I am part of a continual process of change to meet people’s needs where they are.”

Cohen, who has the job of bringing not only new experiences to the center’s program, but to bring new participants, was impressed by the success of the Sun day event, which brought many new faces to the center’s Dunwoody campus.

“That’s why we were so excited to part ner with the fertility foundation,” Cohen said, “I think the foundation has brought in a crowd that is different than the crowd we see every day at the JCC. A lot of people that came were not members and we were so excited that we were able to create an opportunity for them to come on to the campus and see what we offer.”

In addition to the Sukkot program, the Jewish Fertility Foundation produces a podcast “Fruitful and Multiplying.” It also has started a peer support program called Fertility Buddies which provides what it calls “relationship-based support” on a one-to-one basis for those seeking an op portunity to exchange their experiences with another person who has been trained by an infertility therapist. ì

MJCCA Rabbi Brian Glusman entertains with holiday music.

Paid for by Lee Morris

Morris Seeks Re-Election to Fulton County Commission

Lee Morris is finishing his second term as District 3 Fulton County Commissioner and seeking re-election. District 3 encom passes Buckhead, parts of Midtown and southern Sandy Springs.

Morris has focused on the County’s role in fighting crime. Cities are respon sible for policing, but the County has a role in public safety. Many justice partners in Fulton are separately elected officials. The Board of Commissioners (BOC) cannot tell a judge how to decide a case, the district attorney who to prosecute, or the sher iff how to run the jail. But the BOC funds those departments’ budgets and Morris has always supported adequate funding of the justice system. Last year, the BOC allocated an extra $75Million to address the backlog of criminal and civil cases accumulated dur ing the pandemic. As liaison with the justice partners, Morris monitors that effort. Now more than ever Morris believes Fulton must ensure that law enforcement officials have the funding needed to keep our neighbor hoods safe.

With rapid increases in home values, homeowners face rising property taxes. Each year Morris has served on the BOC, with his often being the key 4th vote, the millage rate

for the County’s portion of your property tax bill has been reduced. Morris also caused the Board of Assessors, which had been im properly applying some homesteads, to cor rect its practices and enable more citizens to benefit from the homestead exemptions available under the law.

Morris worked to help put the voterapproved Atlanta “floating” homestead ex emption on the ballot. Floating exemptions increase when valuations increase, greatly

reducing net tax increases. Such exemptions already applied to County, Sandy Springs, and Fulton Schools portions.

One of Morris’ most significant wins for taxpayers was his efforts to correct ex cesses of the state-created Development Authority of Fulton County (DAFC). The DAFC grants tax abatements to develop ments, many of which Morris believed would have been built without abatements, in effect shifting tax burden to homeown ers. While the BOC has no oversight of this state-created authority, it appoints its mem bers. Morris successfully added seats for the two school systems, because over half of the abated taxes are school board taxes. Finally, after press coverage of the scandal involving DAFC “per diems”, Morris sponsored public reporting of per diems and financial disclo sure by DAFC board members.

With Morris’ background in account ing and law, he emphasizes accountability within agencies reporting to the BOC. But Morris also has a vision for the future, a vision consistent with the County’s Sustain ability Plan adopted in 2019. The plan sets six priority areas to preserve natural re sources and improve the County’s resiliency, including climate change mitigation, social equity, smart transit and high-performance

County infrastructure.

Morris graduated from Duke Univer sity and practiced as a CPA before studying law at Emory University. He has been ac tive for 45 years in his church, St Dunstan‘s Episcopal.

Morris is honored to be endorsed by so many elected officials - women and men, Black, White and Asian, Democrats and Re publicans, gay and straight. He has been en dorsed by the Atlanta Realtors Association and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Real tors, and Georgia Equality. For this unusual collection of endorsements and to learn more about Lee Morris and his work, visit his website: VoteLeeMorris.com.

Guided by our distinctive approach to whole child education, Lovett faculty immerse students in intellectually rigorous, hands on learning environments that spark character development, individual passions, and social awareness By design, we offer students the experiences that deepen their cognitive, emotional, and social skills while inspiring an enduring enthusiasm for learning.

Learn more at lovett.org

Our students find joy and purpose in learning by doing.

Paid Content by Lee Morris

Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival's 10-Year Celebration

The Hebrew Order of David an nounces the official in-person and live return of the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival on Sunday, Oct. 23 at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody.

Celebrating its official 10-year an niversary, the festival will host over 20 teams including traveling participants from Florida, Texas and Washington, D.C. to take part in this year’s competition. The festival is expecting more than 4,000 barbecue lovers and community support ers to be in attendance and offers events and musical programming for all ages in addition to barbecue tastings and vendor booths showcasing local kosher caterers, community organizations, first respond ers, artisans, and more.

The festival includes competitions in the categories of Beef Brisket, Beef Ribs, Chicken, Chili and more. The Atlan ta Kosher BBQ Festival is supervised by the Atlanta Kashruth Commission and all entries are judged by KCBS-certified judges.

“As we head into the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival’s 10th-anniversary celebra tion, we are ecstatic to be back in person

again,” said Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival Executive Director Jody Pollack.

Pollack continued, “We are expect ing our largest crowd to date and can’t wait to see our community come together for the love of BBQ. This event is all about bringing people together no matter their religious background or affiliation and we welcome everyone out to have a great time and eat some amazing BBQ.

Additionally, I’m happy to announce this year’s title sponsor is the Atlanta Jewish Times. The AJT has always been a great supporter of the festival and we cannot thank them enough for their pa tronage and commitment to the contin ued success of this event.

Our official motto is ‘Bringing the community together.’ However, in real ity, we do not care what flavor you are, as long as you love BBQ!”

Additionally, for the past several years, the Cobb County Police Depart ment has entered a team to participate in the festival’s competition. In light of re cent events where two Cobb County dep uties were lost in the line of duty, the fes tival and its organizers will be donating

a portion of the event proceeds to honor their memories and families left behind.

“In these tough situations, we must all find ways to support each other,” said Pollack. “These brave men and women have been participating in the festival alongside us for several years, and we wanted to find a way to honor their col leagues’ memories. Jewish or non-Jewish,

we are a community that needs to stick together. That’s what this festival is all about at the end of the day.”

Tasting tickets are now available for purchase.For vendor and sponsorship info and opportunities, please reach out to: pitboss@theatlantakosherbbqfestival. com.ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

A Few Highlights:

• Atlanta Jewish Times “Smokin’ Hot off the Press” will be onsite with their amazing and always unique BBQ team tent.

• Jim Ellis Audi will be onsite with their new e-tron Electric cars.

• Flayco a kosher spice mixer and purveyor, will be supplying the spices for our teams.

• Dressler’s Funeral Care has been a major sponsor since the inception of the festi val back in 2012.

• Sunbelt Rentals is once again donating the power that keeps us lit at night as the teams prep and cook their BBQ offerings.

• Deli2U has been the meat provider since the inception of the festival back in 2012.

• Primo Grills, the only domestic manufacturer of ceramic grills, has donated the charcoal for our teams.

• Thomas Eye Group has made a generous donation in support of our 10th Anniversary Festival.

(From right) Jody Pollack and Michael Marks, a.k.a. Brisket.

David Joss, Mario Ovis and Les KraitzickCobb County Police Department represented and led by Lester Maddox

Atlanta Jewish Times as Shakin Your Brisket at the 2022 Kosher BBQ Festival.

Crowds join Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival in 2019.

Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival ribs.

Israeli Nanotech May be Able to Reduce Chemo Side-Effects

Scientists say that new Israeli technol ogy could dramatically reduce the side ef fects of cancer treatments, including chemo therapy, by making precision dosing possible for drugs that are currently administered to the whole body.

The invention could also revive numer ous treatments that are today considered un safe and enable doctors to increase doses of some existing medicines, the team from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology sug gests in newly peer-reviewed research.

The focus of the study, and the sole topic of the Technion team’s animal study, is inhib itors, which are drugs that block the growth factors that trigger cancer cells. But a small number of chemotherapies was included in the lab testing and showed promise, the team said, indicating that the technology may also one day be used to reduce chemotherapy side effects.

Today in Israeli History

Moshe Sharett served as prime minister for less than two years because David Ben-Gurion came out of retirement and regained the leadership of the ruling Mapai party in mid-1955.

Oct. 15, 1894: Moshe Sharett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence who is Is rael’s first foreign minister and succeeds Da vid Ben-Gurion to become the second prime minister, is born Moshe Shertok in Kherson, Ukraine.

Oct. 16, 1986: Ron Arad, 28, an F-4 Phan tom II navigator, is captured by Amal terror ists after bailing out over Lebanon. He is never seen in Israel again. He is believed to have been killed in 1988 or 1992.

Oct. 17, 1880: Ze’ev Jabotinsky, the fa ther of Revisionist Zionism, is born in Odesa, Ukraine. Pogroms in 1903 inspire his activism for Jewish self-defense and Zionism. He pro vides the intellectual foundation for Likud.

Oct. 18, 1988: Israel’s Supreme Court up holds the Central Elections Committee’s ban on the Kahanist party Kach for the election for the 12th Knesset because of a prohibition on parties whose object is inciting or engaging in racism.

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME

Precision medicines are considered a promising way to treat cancer, but a major challenge is the technology required to de liver medicine to cancerous cells without taking it to other parts of the body.

Particles called nano-carriers, also a key ingredient of most coronavirus vaccines, do the job well. But each nano-carrier is compat ible with a limited range of drugs, and only a few dozen are available, meaning most drugs can’t be given as precision medicine.

A Technion biomedical engineering team says it has invented a new nano-carrier, tested it in lab conditions and on mice, and concluded it is likely to make nano-dosing possible for many drugs.

“The new nano-carrier actually enabled us to successfully treat mice with a medicine that normally can’t be used due to its intense side effects,” Prof. Yosi Shamay, head of the lab that conducted the research, said.

His team gave mice Trametinib, a drug that can only be used today for melanoma patients and in tiny doses due to its toxicity. The mice received what is considered a safe dose. Mice who received it as a regular drug didn’t get better, while those who received it through targeted nano-carrier delivery end ed up with smaller tumors.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Oct. 19, 1948: The Haganah, the Wedge wood and the Noga attack an Egyptian troop carrier near Ashkelon in the first major battle for the Israeli navy. The Egyptian ship suffers enough damage to require towing home.

Oct. 20, 1952: Dalia Itzik, who in 2006 be comes the first woman to serve as the Knesset speaker, is born in Jerusalem to immigrants from Iraq. She also serves as interim president from January to July 2007.

Oct. 21, 1967: Forty-seven Israeli sailors are killed when the destroyer INS Eilat is sunk on a routine patrol off Port Said, Egypt, by Soviet-made missiles launched from Egyptian boats in the harbor.

Before his service in Britain, Eliahu Elath notified President Harry Truman of Israel’s establishment in May 1948 and received the official U.S. recognition of the new state.

Oct. 22, 1952: Eliahu Elath, Israel’s first ambassador to the United States, presents his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II as he is elevated from minister (a position he has held since 1950) to become Israel’s first ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Nobel Bestowed on 3 Scientists Honored by Israel

Three scientists jointly won this year’s Nobel Prize in physics for proving that tiny particles could retain a connection with each other even when separated, a phenomenon once doubted but now being explored for potential real-world applications such as en crypting information.

Frenchman Alain Aspect, American John F. Clauser and Austrian Anton Zeilinger were cited by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for experiments proving the “totally crazy” field of quantum entanglements to be all too real. They demonstrated that unseen particles, such as photons, can be linked, or “entangled,” with each other even when they are separated by large distances.

Clauser, Aspect and Zeilinger have fig ured in Nobel speculation for more than a decade. In 2010 they won the Wolf Prize in Is rael, seen as a possible precursor to the Nobel.

It all goes back to a feature of the uni verse that even baffled Albert Einstein and connects matter and light in a tangled, cha otic way. Bits of information or matter that used to be next to each other even though they are now separated have a connection or relationship—something that can con ceivably help encrypt information or even

Oct. 23, 1998: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yas ser Arafat and Bill Clinton sign a memoran dum recommitting to the Oslo II agreement of September 1995 after nine days of negotia tions at the Wye River Plantation in Maryland.

teleport.

A Chinese satellite now demonstrates this and potentially lightning-fast quantum computers, still at the small and not quite useful stage, also rely on this entanglement.

“Why this happens I haven’t the foggi est,” Clauser said. “I have no understanding of how it works but entanglement appears to be very real.”

Clauser, 79, was awarded his prize for a 1972 experiment, cobbled together with scavenged equipment, that helped settle a famous debate about quantum mechanics between Einstein and famed physicist Niels Bohr. Einstein described “a spooky action at a distance” that he thought would eventually be disproved.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Sir Henry McMahon was the British high commissioner in Cairo during World War I.

Oct. 24, 1915: Sir Henry McMahon, the British high commissioner in Cairo, and Hu sayn Ibn Ali, the sherif of Mecca, begin an ex change of letters in which Britain promises to back Husayn’s bid to lead a restored caliphate if he helps against the Ottoman Empire.

Oct. 25, 1976: Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the president of the International Chess Federation, Max Euwe, open the 22nd men’s and seventh women’s Chess Olympiad in Haifa despite a Soviet-led boycott.

Oct. 26, 1994: More than 4,500 people, in cluding President Bill Clinton, witness Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Jordanian King Hussein sign a peace treaty at the Wadi Araba border crossing between Eilat and Aqaba.

Oct. 27, 1978: Forty-one days after signing the Camp David Accords, Israeli Prime Minis ter Menachem Begin and Egyptian President

Anwar Sadat are announced as the winners of the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize.

Oct. 28, 1910: The Hadera Commune ar rives at Umm Juni on the banks of the Kinner et (Sea of Galilee) and forms the first kibbutz, Degania Alef (based on the Hebrew “dagan,” grain), on land leased from the Jewish Nation al Fund.

Oct. 29, 1956: Israeli troops, on high alert in the Arab Triangle area after the Sinai inva sion that day, kill 48 Israeli Arabs returning from their fields at dusk in Kfar Kassem. The massacre results from an illegally changed curfew.

Oct. 30, 1991: The Soviet Union and the United States convene a three-day Middle East peace conference in Madrid that uses bilateral and multilateral talks. It is the first time Israeli and PLO negotiators come together.

Items are provided by the Center for Israel Educa tion (israeled.org), where you can find more details.

Illustrative: Cancer cells inside the body.

Menachem Begin delivers his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech Dec. 10, 1978.

Nobel Prize-winning scientist Anton Zeilinger was one of three selected for this year’s Nobel Prize in physics.

Israel Sends Help to Florida After Hurricane Ian

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

The Consul General of Israel in Miami returned to his Miami home at 10 p.m., Oct. 3, after taking supplies to Hurricane Ian hard-hit areas of southwestern Florida and didn’t expect to return the next day, on the eve of Yom Kippur. But Consul General Maor Elbaz-Starinsky said he was headed to the lunch at the Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida, before he returned home to his five children for Yom Kippur.

The lunch, for first responders and survivors, was one of thousands of kosher meals provided after the Hurricane struck the day after Rosh Hashanah. But this lunch was going to be different. “I invited everyone to lunch,” specifically mention ing the Jewish Mayor of Miami-Dade Coun ty, Daniella Levine Cava.

Also attending was Florida’s First Lady, Casey DeSantis. Greeting the dig nitaries was Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz, director of Chabad of Southwest Florida and brother to Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz of Chabad of North Fulton, and Rabbi Peretz Meir Simcha Minkowicz, assistant rabbi at Chabad of Southwest Florida and Yitz chok’s son. Eran Hazan, of Yedidim USA, was responsible for setting up the whole food operation that provided the hot meals for the community.

According to Elbaz-Starinsky, the team of Israeli rescuers representing Unit ed Hatzalah emergency response organi zation, who had arrived in Florida days earlier, were also represented. That team included members of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit as well as emer gency medical technicians. They arrived in Florida to provide psychological first aid and emotional stabilization, according to Hatzalah, an all-volunteer non-profit emer gency medical service.

As Elbaz-Starinsky explained, this or ganization differs from the Israel Defense Forces National Rescue Unit that sent a search and rescue team to Florida after the partial collapse of a 12-story beachfront condominium in the Miami suburb of Surfside on June 24, 2021.

Nearly 100 people died in the col lapsed Champlain Towers South, many of whom had friends and relatives in the Atlanta area. Elbaz-Starinsky remembers that disaster well. He started his position as consul general four days before the Surf side tragedy. “I brought the search and res cue team to Florida,” he recalled. “I’ve gone from disaster to disaster.”

According to estimates published in the 2020 American Jewish Year Book, the Fort Myers metro area, which bore the

brunt of Hurricane Ian, has approximately 7,500 Jews. The Times of Israel reported that the Jewish community in southwest Florida is relatively new compared to other areas of Florida.

But the Israeli teams brought to Flori da to assist after these disasters don’t come just to help the Jewish community. “We do whatever we can do to alleviate suffering for everyone, not just Jews,” said Elbaz-Sta rinsky, although acknowledging the large Jewish and Israeli communities in the area.

“The U.S. has no better friend than Israel and Israel has no better friend than the U.S.

These are our shared values.”

United Hatzalah sent its team to Flor ida not long after another team was sent to Puerto Rico to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. “When we saw the level of damage caused by Hurricane Ian and the fact that millions of people were forced to evacuate and suffered losses and dam age, we knew we had to help,” said Gavy Friedson, director of International Emer gency Management for Hatzalah.

“This is our fastest turn-around time ever for separate missions,” said vice presi dent of operations of United Hatzalah Dov

Maisal. “It makes me proud of all of our dedicated volunteers.”

Friedson, who was an EMT in Israel with the organization, now lives in Wash ington, D.C.

The Florida mission is his third hur ricane relief mission, and his second in Florida, after having also been a part of the relief team that was sent to assist after Hur ricane Irma struck Florida in 2017.

Just before the team left for Florida, Maisal explained that “We’re going because people are in need of help and we can’t sit idly by when this level of disaster strikes." ì

Casey DeSantis and Rabbi Yitzchok Minkowicz with Hatzalah

October 1, 2022: Fort Myers FL scene after Hurricane Ian storm surge with 6 foot floods

Hurricane Ian flooded houses in Florida residential area.

Hurricane Ian United Hatzalah Emergency Response Team.

Tamir Goodman, NBA Vets Lead Hoops Clinic in Israel

‘The Jewish Jordan,’” explained Sweetney.

“Where we’re from, we had never seen a Jewish person before. We had obviously heard of them, but we never had actually seen a person with a kippah. When he came to the tournament, everybody treated him differently, really didn’t talk to him.

kids belonging to a multi tude of religious and eth nic backgrounds.

David Ostrowsky

It was April 2000 and Tamir Good man was alone in the corner of the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., warm ing up for the Capital Classic all-star game, the country’s most prestigious high school basketball exhibition that showcases Divi sion I-bound players.

The slender red-headed Goodman, re cently dubbed “The Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated was, at this point, an object of fascination among his peers and those in attendance. As a kippah-wearing Orthodox Jew who refused to play on Saturdays, Good man, then a senior at Takoma Academy who had committed to playing at the University of Maryland, was largely ostracized by his fellow all-stars, who struggled to relate to his unique background. Except for one burly teammate—Oxon Hill’s Michael Sweetney, who took the initiative to reach out.

“Everybody knew he [Goodman] was

“My pops raised me to love and respect everybody. When everybody broke off to shoot free throws, he [Goodman] was like by himself. So, I went down there, and we just started talking. And he was kind of con fused, like, ‘Why are you talking to me?’ We just hit it off, had a great conversation and for me, I didn’t really care about the articles and him wearing a kippah. I saw him as a human being.”

Twenty-two years later, Goodman, who lives in Israel as a means of paying homage to his late grandmother, a Holocaust sur vivor, and Sweetney remain close friends. Goodman has not only helped Sweetney land an assistant coaching gig at Yeshiva University after the big man retired from the pro ranks, after playing for the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls, but also motivated him to visit Israel and participate in his hoops clinics that galvanize scores of

While Sweetney was initially hesitant to visit Israel because of the seemingly ubiquitous news reports highlighting acts of violence afflict ing the Israeli people, he ultimately overcame such fears, and now refers to Is rael as “a beautiful place” and one that he intends to intro duce to his entire family one day.

Sweetney isn’t the only for mer NBA player whom Goodman has recruited for his clinics. Elevenyear NBA veteran Eddy Curry, he of the 2011-12 world champion Miami Heat, was reluctant to visit for similar reasons, before ultimately making the journey to join Sweetney at Goodman’s camps this past summer.

“The peace that I felt when I was there,” said Curry, who, in addition to coaching at the basketball camps also visited holy sites such as Yad Vashem, where he was able to draw a parallel between the hardships faced by the Jewish people and those inflicted on his African American ancestors. “Here [America], I kind of feel that I have been on a hamster wheel for a long time—just play ing basketball and getting into that whole system and going into the NBA. Everything moved so fast. And nothing was really dif ferent. I was able to go to Israel and I felt something different. It had nothing to do with money. Nobody was over there trying to see how much money you had. Nobody was over there trying to see the kind of car that you were driving. It was just all love, and it was all peace. And it was coming from a genuine place.

“It’s a place that’s relatively untapped in my culture, and I think going over there, you realize that we have a lot in common.”

Curry, also eyeing a return trip one day, joined Goodman and Sweetney for a Jewish National Fund USA-sponsored Zoom event titled “What on Earth Does Sports Have to do with Zionism?” on Sept. 29 to publicly share their exuberance for Israel. Moder ated by nonprofit and financial services ex ecutive Eric Rubin, who in a few days was headed to Abu Dhabi to watch the Atlanta Hawks and other NBA teams play in exhi bition games, the virtual panel discussion, part of the “Conversations on Zionism” series, touched on Goodman’s basketball camps, but really went into depth about Sweetney’s and Curry’s experiences this past summer.

Tamir Goodman is a former professional basketball player and current entrepreneur, coach, consultant and motivational speaker.

Of note, for Israeli youths obsessed with basketball, the NBA is not very accessi ble with games played at 3 a.m. thousands of miles away so having Sweetney’s and Cur ry’s presence was quite meaningful. Wheth er it was realizing that there is a boulevard in Jerusalem named after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or coming across school-aged chil dren playing sports without supervision in public parks in the wee hours of the morn ing, the former NBA veterans’ notions of Is rael being an uncomfortable and dangerous place were quickly dispelled.

Speaking to the Atlanta Jewish Times shortly after the Zoom call, Curry acknowl edged that “Ever since then, I was made aware that there’s a whole side of the world that I had no idea of. I was able to go down there and open my mind up and open my world up to something totally different.”

Thanks to social media, there may be quite a few more NBA stars of yesteryear making the journey.

“I’m pretty sure a handful of guys as of right now will definitely be heading over there at their earliest chance,” adds Curry, who was so invested in Goodman’s camp that one day he signed his sneakers as a gift for a couple campers, meaning he had to walk back to his hotel in socks.

Giving campers the shoes off his feet— it may seem like a silly thing, but it was a heartfelt gesture that reflected Curry’s sincere gratitude to the people of Israel for making him feel so at home.

All Gold, No Bust for Atlanta 16U Flag Football

By David Ostrowsky

Looking back now, two months re moved from the JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego in which Team Atlanta (Boys 16U Flag Football) ultimately took home a gold medal, Daron Beldick can laugh about the first couple days of competition.

His flag football team was coming off an underwhelming 1-3 won-loss record in pool play and as the playoff tournament loomed, Team Atlanta, one stacked with high-level basketball and baseball players, was starting to get dismissed by other Mac cabi teams. At the time, this was nothing to cackle about.

“Day after we finished our second day of games, when we were 1-3, everyone in our delegation was making fun of us,” said Beldick, who also recalls that his former basketball coach, Gavi Abraham, was get ting on him for the slow start. “I just got really mad. A lot of us were down. I had to pick everyone up and make sure our atti tude was up so we could focus on our goal of winning.”

And winning was what they did for the balance of the week. After blasting San Diego, 47-0, to secure a tourney spot as the fifth seed, Team Atlanta, which arrived in San Diego having had limited time for practices and scrimmages, reeled off three gutsy wins in the playoff tournament to capture the gold. Fueled by a “Gold or Bust” mentality, Beldick and his teammates, some of whom were his overnight camp bunkmates, won all three playoff contests by a total of six points, which included a 34-33 win over Jacksonville in the champi onship.

Prevailing in three consecutive hardfought playoff battles was, without ques tion, a byproduct of savvy leadership ex hibited by head coach Ronald McCrae, a longtime multi-sport JCC coach and league organizer who was gunning for his first Maccabi title. The highly revered McCrae also deserves credit for making the pru dent adjustment to slim down—and sim plify—the playbook, following the 1-3 start.

“It meant so much to Ronald,” said Daron’s dad, Robert Beldick, who served as an assistant coach. “This was a huge deal to him. This gold medal you would think was an Olympic gold medal to him. This was the capstone to his coaching career.”

After the second game of pool play, a 39-20 loss to Jacksonville, it didn’t look too promising for McCrae in his quest to earn a gold medal in his sixth, and possibly final, Maccabi Games.

“Second game, we were not focused,” admitted McCrae, a product of Georgia

Southern University whose day job is working for Sapir Realty as a field agent.

“That was probably our worst game in the tournament. We didn’t play at the level that we could play. I knew we were going to be good, but we didn’t have enough practice under our belt to be sound.”

A few days after the letdown to Jack sonville, Team Atlanta got its revenge in the title match. Down seven points with 25 sec onds remaining, the locals marched down the length of the field to score a touch down, which, following the successful onepoint conversion, forced overtime. In OT, Atlanta, once again down seven, scored on its fourth attempt when quarterback Coo per Bernath found wideout Mikey Wilson in the back of the endzone to pull within one. Rather than settling for a tie and more OT play, Team Atlanta went for two. Suc cess. Bernath connected with Beldick, who scampered across the goal line for the twopoint conversion to seal the championship.

“It [game-winning catch] was some thing I will never forget in my life,” said Daron Beldick. “It completely made my Maccabi experience. I am so thankful I got the opportunity to play. That and how we handled adversity and turned the pressure into fuel during the playoffs.”

Behind the dynamic offensive trio of Bernath, Beldick and tight end Isaac Wolf, and a stout defense anchored by edge rushers Ari Goldberg and Isaac Katz and cornerbacks Jake Barras and Zack Siegel, Team Atlanta couldn’t be denied this sum mer in Southern California.

“Even after losing three games in a row, we all believed in ‘Gold or Bust’ and it kept us motivated,” said quarterback Ber

nath, a sophomore at Riverwood whose primary sport is baseball, in which he ex cels as a third baseman and pitcher and aspires to play in college one day.

McCrae, a former JCC employee who has a strong coaching background in both middle school and high school, was very invested in his team, one comprised largely of students attending Riverwood High School.

Some may return to Atlanta’s 16U flag football team in the next Maccabi Games while others might try their hand at tackle football later in their teenage years. Re gardless, no one will ever take away their emergence as one of two Atlanta teams (the other being boys 14U soccer) to win gold at the JCC Maccabi Games this past summer.

“Watching young men grow from Day 1 to Day 5, they grew up a lot as young men,” said McCrae. “They became very in tune with themselves. They became a fam ily. I thoroughly enjoyed all of those young men greatly.”

The feelings are mutual.

“It means so much to us to get him [McCrae] a gold medal,” added Bernath. “He’s a great mentor to all of us. Ronald said this year will probably be his last year, but we might be able to convince him.”

ì

Team Atlanta Boys 16U Flag Football, one of two teams representing Atlanta to win Gold at this summer’s JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego. // Photos Courtesy of Robert Beldick.

Atlanta Braves Host ‘44 Classic’ Annual Showcase

SPORTS By David Ostrowsky

Michael Harris II sure looks like he could be a legit big league five-tool star one day—if he isn’t one already. The Braves’ scintillating 21-year-old centerfielder is coming off a phenomenal rookie year, flashing signs of possessing the rare combination of elite speed and power.

But there is a very good chance that the Stockbridge native, who happens to be one of the leading candidates for National League Rookie of the Year, wouldn’t be wearing a Braves uniform had it not been for the “44 Classic,” the orga nization’s fantastic annual event, one that pays homage to Hank Aaron (No. 44) by showcasing some of the Southeast’s best high school players from diverse backgrounds, whose fourth iteration occurred last month at Truist Park.

It was four years ago, during the inaugural year of the Nike-sponsored 44 Classic, then held at the Gwinnett Strip ers’ Coolray Field, that the Braves’ scouts noticed Harris and his undeniable talents for the first time; a year later, Atlanta drafted Harris in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft. While not every participant in the showcase is of Harris’s cali ber, his ability to catch the attention of Braves scouts serves as a microcosm of the event’s underlying purpose.

“You never know that one time that somebody sees something,” said Greg McMichael, former Atlanta reliever who currently serves as the organization’s director of alum ni relations, a position which now entails spearheading the 44 Classic. “You’ve just got to impress one person and then sometimes you get a second chance and a third chance and a

fourth chance. If they see you, and there’s a little spark there, then they make it a point to see you a second, third and fourth time.

“But sometimes there are guys who are late bloomers. You can kind of see little sparks here and there, but you never know when it’s just going to be a full-on impact.”

The high school ballplayers, of which many came from the Braves’ RBI Fall Development Program and the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association, took part in the two-day event on Sept. 24-25, which consisted of a pro-style workout includ ing infield and outfield drills, batting practice and home run derby, followed by a scrimmage 24 hours later. Many were stepping on a major league diamond—while getting observed by college and pro scouts—for the very first time. In addition to Grissom, fellow Atlanta alums, Johnny Estrada and Marvin Freeman, also graced the coaching staff.

This was the first year that McMichael, the runner-up for the 1993 NL Rookie of the Year and member of the 1995 world champion Braves, was charged with organizing the 44 Classic. He believes that the initiative has succeeded in hon oring Aaron’s legacy by providing opportunities for teenage ballplayers from underserved markets to showcase their skills on a more visible platform, a matter of great impor tance given the declining number of Black players joining big league rosters this century.

Looking ahead though, McMichael would like to see the event’s trademark 44 roster spots filled with even more expe rienced and polished ballplayers, ones who are accustomed to performing in showcase events and have serious aspira

Sara Fisher, Director of

In what promises to be the first of many events, the annual 44 Classic presented by Nike was held at Truist Park last month.

// Photo Courtesy of Atlanta Braves.

tions of playing pro ball. For his goal to come to fruition, it helps having Grissom, the one-time Braves centerfielder who snagged the final out of the 1995 World Series, on his side.

“I know what Marquis stands for,” McMichael said of his erstwhile teammate. “I know what kind of organization he runs and the way he teaches and the way he cares about kids. There wouldn’t be anybody else that I would want to have putting this event on for us.”

McMichael was not associated with the 44 Classic dur ing its inaugural edition in 2018; he’s a tireless supporter of youth baseball and softball clinics and leagues throughout Georgia, which is why the Braves deemed him a natural fit for this post. McMichael was not present to see Harris soar across the outfield to track down 400-foot drives or smoke liners from foul pole to foul pole. But he has spoken with Free man and Grissom who did see Harris’ dazzling performance in person and are not the least bit surprised that he has blos somed into a Rookie of the Year candidate.

“I think when we see young kids like that [Harris], I don’t think we’re surprised, because you can see the talent,” said McMichael. “Now, it takes a lot more than just talent to make it to the big leagues and make an impact. There’s a bunch of things. You’ve got to keep your head clear. You’ve got to be able to do the same thing when the lights come on. But I think they knew he [Harris] was a pretty special player.”

Whether more potential impact big leaguers will be discovered at the 44 Classic remains to be seen. Regardless, the event, which, according to McMichael, “creates a bigger worldview for some of these kids as it relates to baseball,” promises to be a critical initiative on behalf of the Braves for

“The more I do this, the more I appreciate the Braves or ganization and how they really are trying to make an impact locally,” said McMichael about a franchise that has shown further commitment to diversity and inclusion by holding its first-ever Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase this past July at Truist. “I’m just really proud to be a part of it and to see how we can continue to make strides in a lot of differ

“I think Hank [Aaron] would be proud. It goes beyond just the 44 Classic. It’s kind of an overall initiative on our part.” ì

focus on what

sounds, making it

want to hear

the

Choose the revolutionary he aring aid that

best for you.

Native Atlantans Launch New Dating App Hatched

A pair of native Atlantans are look ing to revolutionize the dating app market by launching their new product, Hatched. With the goal of making the app avail able for download across Atlanta on the Apple App and Google Play stores on Oct. 20, Hatched is changing the digital dat ing game by diving deeper into values, at titudes, personality, and interests to help users discover more meaningful matches.

The brainchild of two emerging At lanta entrepreneurs, co-founders Mitchell Alterman and Sam Lukens, and backed by a notable group of angel investors, Hatched user profiles are depicted by an egg still covered by its shell, encourag ing users to start meeting others through commonalities and getting to know one another for their personalities. Each time a similarity strikes, a piece of the shell cracks off, ultimately unveiling the photo of, at that point, a person you’ve connect ed with over interests and character traits, as opposed to physical attraction and typi

cal “type” tendencies.

As a basic analysis, whether swiping, scrolling or clicking through, the user flow and criteria for matchmaking in most dat ing apps consists of surface-level bio details and a slideshow of images. By making us ers earn the right to learn and see more about their potential match, Hatched cre ates a level playing field that emphasizes character similarities, not pictures.

“Dating app culture is almost com pletely dictated by appearance,” says Alterman, CEO & co-founder. “We’re creating a new way for users to present themselves and to view others, and we’re hoping that Hatched users will continue to learn about themselves while hatching their match. As we like to say at Hatched, get to know somebody before you get to no them!”

Lukens, COO & co-founder, shares, “User interests are changing, searching for something more substantive and real, and the dating-app industry is experienc

ing rapid growth, yet current offerings are still determined to maintain the statusquo. Hatched will relieve users of swiping fatigue and instant picture-based rejec tion through a new, innovative approach that should make virtual matchmaking

more meaningful and effective.”

For more information, sign up for up dates at www.hatchyourmatch.com and follow along at @hatcheddating.

Compiled by AJT Staff

JNF-USA Launch Atlanta Women for Israel

Jewish National Fund-USA’s Atlanta Women for Israel 2023 launch presented an opportunity to meet in person to plan for the coming year.

The launch was held in August at Lost Corner Preserve in Sandy Springs. During the launch, local philanthropist Michelle Horesh was honored for her outstanding leadership as chair of the Steering Committee.

Highlights from the launch also include the introduction of TAKE TEN, an initiative giving each leader 10 women who they will communicate

with throughout the year. The strategy aims to deepen the connection between women in Atlanta and Israel through regular updates on Jewish National Fund-USA’s achievements in the Ne gev and Galilee while also providing opportunities for local women to take on leadership roles that support these Israeli communities.

For more information, contact JNFUSA Executive Director, Greater Atlanta, Beth Gluck at bgluck@jnf.org

Compiled by AJT Staff

A pair of native Atlantans have launched a new dating app, Hatched.

Pictured, from left: (back row) Roni Wolk; Samantha Weidenbaum; Cheryl Morrison; Staci Libowsky; Natasha Lebowitz; Miriam Haviv; Caryn Berzack; (front row) Jackie Goldstein, chair, WFI Steering Committee; Marlene Sukiennik; Michelle Horesh, outgoing chair, WFI Steering Committee.

Goldberg Named Volunteer of the Year

On Nov. 5, Andrew Goldberg, VP of corporate strategy for Cox Communica tions and a longtime volunteer with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, will be honored at the Gala as the Vol unteer of the Year for his work with raising funds for and awareness of Inflammatory Bow el Disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

With several family members impacted by these diseases, Goldberg has dedicated his free time to help ing find cures. Over the last seven years, he has raised over $200,000 for the foundation. He is an immediate past president of the board of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation-Geor gia Chapter and a member of the chap ter’s Nominating and Volunteer Engage ment Committee.

“I started volunteering with the foundation about seven years ago after discovering my wife, Wendi, had Crohn’s, and that both my brothers, as well as my father, had begun their own battles with IBD,” Goldberg said. “Wendi struggled for five years before being properly di agnosed, and I was on a mission to learn more about the disease and how to fight it, to raise awareness so others would get the treatment they need even sooner

than we did, and to raise money to help improve patients’ quality of life. And ul timately, to help find a cure.”

Research stud ies show that ap proximately 1 in every 100 Ameri cans currently have IBD, and an estimated 100,000 Georgians are af fected annually by the disease. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is the largest non-profit voluntary health agency dedicated to finding cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improving the quality of life of those affected.

“The founda tion is the single, largest source of funding for IBD causes, so if we don’t support it, we will fail to drive the mis sion forward,” Goldberg shared of his motivation to continue raising funds.

“Patients’ quality of life has improved be cause of the foundation, and we’re mak ing progress towards achieving sustained remission, if not a cure. But we have to keep investing to reach the goal.”

For more information, visit crohn scolitisfoundation.org. For more info about the Gala, visit: Crohn’s & Coli tis Foundation Torch Gala, or call 404.982.0616.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Andrew Goldberg,

OPINION

A Journalism Al Chet

Listen

ing to Leon

Temple

Dave Schechter From Where I Sit

ard Cohen’s “Who By Fire,” which I do this time of year, I looked up the Unetaneh Tokef prayer on which the song is based.

And as our

congregation recited the Al Chet during Yom Kippur, I considered what would comprise a confession of journalism sins.

It would be easy to cite offenses committed by various entities of what is referred to, with too broad a brush, as the “news media.” I prefer to speak about personal sins, committed not against any version of a deity, but against my own better angels. So…

For the sin of misspelling a name (the low hanging fruit of mistakes).

For the sin of sarcasm, of which I have been accused, and sometimes (sometimes) regret.

For the sin of snark, most often ex pressed on social media. But when wheel barrows full of you know what are being dumped before you, a snarky comment is better than saying outright that someone is full of you know what.

For the sin of not challenging con ventional wisdom or for accepting con clusions too easily reached.

For the sin of not challenging selfanointed “experts,” who peddle them selves as much or more than they offer well-reasoned arguments grounded in facts.

For the sin of verbalizing certain thoughts beyond conversations with my two canine assistants.

For the sin of not doing more re search. Research is a fun part of this work, but there is always the chance that a noteworthy piece of information gets overlooked because there is only so much time to read before writing.

For the sin of not broadening the di versity of voices from within Jewish com munity in my articles.

For the sin of not proofreading just one more time. That’s why I value the pre-submission reviews by my wife and my brother the rabbi, who frequently find items to be fixed and phrasing that I can improve.

For the sin of irritation with those who do not understand the difference be tween an editorial or op-ed, and straight reporting.

For the sin of annoyance with those who confuse facts with truth. To quote John Adams, second president of the United States: “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our pas sion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” From where I sit, truth is the product of facts blended with ‘the dic tates of our passion.’”

For the sin of exasperation with those who read multiple news sources online, but do not pay for subscriptions, to at least some of them. If you want to know what your city government, school board, zoning authority, and utility com mission are doing, support local journal ism. Unless, of course, those things don’t matter to you.

Now, for those I have angered be cause the facts in something I wrote did not line up with a truth they hold dear, I offer no apology. And for those who feel that I should trumpet this particular truth, you may be knocking on the wrong door.

For those upset that I did not include their comments, my apologies, but please understand that sometimes I gather 10 pounds of potatoes but only have a fivepound sack.

For those who complain about my previous professional residence, the stat ute of limitations on my concern with such things expired when I walked out their doors.

For those who say that the “news media” (there’s that generalization again) does not report on this or that subject, I ask, did you read past the first few para graphs of an article, or listen or watch past the first commercial break in a newscast? Do you need to reconsider your sources of information?

For those who say that the “news me dia” (rinse, repeat) “hates Israel,” I offer the same response as I do to other gen eralizations: Be specific with such criti cism — some of which, I might decide, is warranted. In return, I shall refrain from suggesting that everyone in your chosen profession is (fill in the blank with a com mon aspersion) simply to point out the fallacy of such statements.

To those who mistakenly ascribe to me biases I do not have, your misimpres sion is excused. Decisions about what to include or leave out of an article are, of course, subjective, but please do not pre sume that they are made based on per sonal animus toward those you favor.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few thoughts to share with the dogs.

OPINION

Letters to the Editor

The AJT welcomes your letters. If you would like your letter to be published, please write 200 words or less, include your name, phone number and email, and send it to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

Letter to the Editor,

In the AJT’s Sept. 15 issue, reader Richard Sherman responded to Lisa Potash. He opposed her characterization of Castro’s Cuba being a bastion of tolerance. I agree with him on that point. Where we differ is his claim that “Castro ethnically cleanse[d] Cuba’s substantial middle class from Cuba shortly after taking power.”

Ethnic cleansing is defined as “the mass expulsion or killing of members of an unwanted ethnic or religious group in a society.” In my research and my visit with a Temple Sinai mission to the Cuban Jewish community, led by a noted local Cuban American, I have found no report to support the ethnic cleansing assertion. What happened is that Castro changed a capitalist system to a communist one. To advance, Cuba’s Jews had to choose to be apolitical and not experience professional advance ment or to support the party and jettison any connection to the Jewish community. Many Cuban Jews who stayed chose the former while many others (90 percent of Jews) fled to the US and elsewhere and had to start over.

While both groups of Jews experienced great financial hardship, they were not victims of ethnic cleansing. This neither justifies Castro’s actions nor diminishes the suffering of those who fled elsewhere, but it’s a far cry from ethnic cleansing of Jews by Hitler, Armenians by post-WWI Turkey, or the Uyghurs in contemporary China.

Words matter.

Sincerely, Rich Lapin, Dunwoody, Ga.

Disclamer to our readers:

This section of the newspaper is a forum for our community to share thoughts, concerns and opinions as open letters to the community or directly to the newspaper.

As a letter to the editor, we proof for spelling and grammatical errors only. We do not edit nor vet the information the letter contains. The individual signing the letter is accountable for what they share.

Letter to the Editor,

My name is Myles Nuzzi with the Kemp for Governor campaign. The governor has penned a letter to the editor regarding SSOs Georgia:

“When I first ran for governor, I made a commitment to parents and students across the state that I would put their interests first. Providing school choice through Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs) is vital to expanding options for students and families throughout Georgia. In 2018, Stacey Abrams vehemently opposed these opportunities and campaigned on eliminating them entirely. If she had won then, thousands of Georgia’s students wouldn’t have the option to attend private schools, including those that offer Jewish educational opportunities across the state.

Since SSOs began in 2009, the ALEF fund, an SSO established by the Jewish Fed eration of Greater Atlanta, has provided nearly 6,000 scholarships totaling almost $37 million to improve access for eligible students to Jewish education. My administration over the past four years has fulfilled its promise to double the cap for taxpayer dona tions to $120 million. If elected again to serve another four years as your governor, I will continue fighting to ensure parents, not bureaucrats, have the final say in their child’s education.”

Myles Nuzzi, Deputy Press Secretary, Kemp for Governor on behalf of Gov. Brian P. Kemp

Presenting this Year’s Book Festival Preview

The 31 st edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA started on Oct. 12 with Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan, "Mad Honey: A Novel" as the first inperson event to kick off the festival, followed by Benjamin Netanyahu’s new release, “Bibi My Story” and continues through Nov. 19, 2022.

Most of the festival will continue with in-person author talks, audience Q & A’s and book signings. There are fif teen events mentioned in this preview, either by readers that share a peek into the books presented or on our easy-toread schedule on page 37.

Atlanta Jewish Times joins Green berg Traurig as “presenting sponsors” of this year’s book festival. We are look ing forward to joining our readers and the rest of the community at two special events we’re sponsoring; Bernie Mar cus with Catherine Lewis to share the new release by Bernie Marcus, "Kick Up Some Dust: Lessons from the Co-Found

er of the Home Depot on Thinking Big, Giving Back, and Doing it Yourself," with co-writer Catherine Lewis, Execu tive Director, Museum of History and Holocaust Education & Professor of History, Kennesaw State University on Sunday, Nov. 6; and then again to root on a former employee of the AJT, Roni Robbins with her new book, “Hands of Gold” on Thursday, Nov. 10. Make sure you come and enjoy added sweets and drinks to celebrate Robbins' publishing success.

The next few pages are just a peak under the cover of the books being pre sented at this year’s 31 st Book Festival of the MJCCA. Make sure to get your tickets early at www.atlantajcc.org , and for in-person events at the Marcus JCC masks are optional. The Book Festival of the MJCCA is one of the most highly regarded cultural events in the South east and you will not want to miss out on this one. ì

PROLOGUE TO THE

Hands of Gold: A Man’s Quest to Find the Silver Lining

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

Seasoned writer Roni Robbins’ award-winning novel, “Hands of Gold: One Man’s Quest to find the Silver Lining in Misfortune,” offers a poignant mustread story. Robbins, a longtime journalist and editor, spent seven years writing the novel, delivering a gripping, dramatic story inspired by real-life events of her family.

As the book is loosely based on the life of Robbins’ grandfather, the book’s protagonist, Sam Fox, follows a path filled with challenges and difficulties. He walked a line between hardship, love, and loss, along with courage and strength. Metaphorically and in truth, her grandfa ther spent his whole life running against the hands of time. Fox’s journey embraced Robbins’ interest before writing the book…a legacy she inherited that just wouldn’t let go. In writing the book, Robbins uti

lizes articulate liter ary license to craft a believable story, giv ing us insight into humanity during a tumultuous and tragic time.

“Hands of Gold” follows her grandfa ther’s journey from war-torn Europe at the turn of the 20th century, through the Great Depression and labor union re forms in America. Determined to forge a new life, Fox faces many hardships, in cluding contracting tuberculosis, but he refuses to let this stop him from his ambitions.

An unlikely hero, he makes a daring move, shield ing 200 coworkers from a gun-carry ing, disgruntled em ployee. His bravery saved the lives of many. By coming to America, Fox ultimately es caped the Auschwitz concentra tion camp where his family tragi cally suffered a deadly fate. The title of the book suggests the role of time, along with a carefully craft ed story, and lives up to Robbins’ pageturning mission. Neither the decades of war nor the trials of a hard life prevent Sam Fox from discovering the silver lin ing in each day. He holds onto his beliefs. He exudes resilience.

Fox is racing to set the record straight about secrets he and his wife of

65 years, Hannah, have harbored from each other and their children. Clearly, it’s a love story that threads together un fortunate circumstances, illustrating the exceptional, unwavering strength of the human spirit.

“Hands of Gold” is a critical re minder, we, too, can move through the difficulties of life and thrive despite our challenges. Robbins reminds us how time is our greatest gift, along with the freedom and ability to savor it. For more information, visit www.ronirobbins. com. ì

Both Events Presented by

Bernie Marcus at 93 is Still Kicking Up Dust

By Bob Bahr

Bernie Marcus describes his new book, which debuts at The Book Festival of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) on Nov. 6 as, “Trying to convince people that they can kick up some dust; that they can make a differ ence.”

Marcus, who is 93, and the co-founder of The Home De pot, has taken that theme of creating change as the book’s title, “Kick Up Some Dust.”

It was written with Catherine

Lewis, a history professor at Kennesaw State University. The book is subtitled, “Lessons on Thinking, Giving Back and Doing It Yourself,” which is a good way of describing how Marcus helped build the company into the world’s largest home improvement corporation with revenues last year of over $155 billion.

In the 20 years since his retire ment from the company, he has devoted himself to giv ing away over $2 billion of his personal fortune. De spite his generosity, he’s still worth, according to Forbes Magazine, over $9 billion.

When speaking re cently in a wide-rang ing interview, Marcus gave credit for the les sons he learned from his mother, Sarah Shinofsky Marcus, a poor Russian im migrant. She was, he em phasized, the most important influence in his life.

It was she who inspired his desire to be what he describes in his book as “a posi tive force in the world.”

“My mother believed that education was important, and she believed that you could achieve in this country whatever you wanted to be. She believed in Amer ica. She loved America. The day she got her citizenship, she cried like a baby. And it was the proudest moment of her life to become a citizen of the United States. And she taught me to love this country and to take advantage of all the benefits that this country offered me.”

Marcus was born on Mother’s Day in 1929, five months before the stock mar ket crash on Wall Street brought on the Great Depression that he lived through as a young boy. Still, despite the hardship of that time, he credits her influence for helping him develop the drive and desire to succeed that shaped so much of his life. It is what he describes in his book as the initiative to “do it yourself” that led him to create the Home Depot, soon after he, Arthur Blank and Ron Brill were fired from the Handy Dan Home Improve ment Company in Southern California in 1978.

“My mother instilled in me that you could do it, you can make it happen. And it was on me. It was on what I could do, not what the government could do. And I believed in that truly and followed her all these years. So, she is really the inspi

ration that has carried me all these years and still does.”

He believes that the Jewish instinct to succeed has developed to confront the adversity we have faced over the centu ries. Marcus believes that the challenges we have had to overcome have shaped us, fundamentally, in ways that have helped us to change society and to change his tory.

“I think it’s genetic in many ways. Over the years, 2,000 years, Jews have been oppressed in every society that we have belonged to…and Jews were able to, through their wits, through their intel ligence, through their brightness to suc ceed in almost every single instance, no matter what civilization it was. Even in Germany in the thirties, the Jews have achieved a great deal. They just didn’t know how to use the power that they had. But I think it’s some kind of a genetic [basis] that has helped us to grow and to survive, how to survive intelligently and move forward and do some great things.”

Marcus’ philanthropy has helped re shape the health care system in Atlanta, with large gifts to Grady Memorial Hos pital, Piedmont Hospital, the Shepard Center, and the Marcus Autism Center. He has helped to give veterans new hope and a confidence to move ahead with their lives through the Gary Sinise Foun dation Avalon Network, which treats post-traumatic stress disorder and trau matic brain injuries.

In Israel, he has established the Is rael Democracy Institute, been a major supporter of Taglit-Birthright Israel, and developed Root One at The Jewish Educa tion Project to help prepare Jewish teen agers to be advocates for Israel when they begin college. But in doing all this, Marcus has never forgotten how much of a struggle it has been to get to where he has.

“I basically spent most of my life looking ahead and trying to plan ahead. But in contemplating what happened in my life, I never realized how much anti semitism I grew up in. I couldn’t get into medical school because I was Jewish, and they had a quota system, but here we are again. The same anti-Israel, antisemitic propaganda is promulgated in the United States. Many Jews are absolutely, totally naive on this subject. They don’t realize what is happening. They don’t under stand that it’s happening right around them. It’s going to affect their grandchil dren and many of them are not willing to fight back. But that doesn’t stand for what I do. I’m going to fight until the day I die."

BOOK FESTIVAL PREVIEW

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man

By Paul Newman

By Bob Bahr

Although Paul Newman’s personal memoir, "The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man," arrives in book stores Oct. 18, it’s based on material he first began gathering 36 years ago. In 1986, the legendary Hollywood star asked his close friend, Stewart Stern, to interview not only himself but his wife and many of those who had been a part of his rise from a little-known member of the Actor’s Studio in New York to the pinnacle of show business success.

At the age of 57 when he first began the process of self-examination, he wanted his friends to tell the truth about how they saw him. Like the cover photograph of him, with his hand half covering his face, it was as if he was still searching for the complete picture, as he says in the book, of the man he had become.

“It’s a shell that is photographed onscreen by the fans and garnering all the glory,” Newman says. “While whoever is really inside me, the core, stays unexplored, uncomfortable and unknown.”

Altogether over a five-year period, the interviews with his friends and his wife were transcribed into 11,000 pages of reminiscences. For many years they were thought lost, but in 2019…11 years after Newman died, they were discovered in a family storage locker. They have been extensively edited for the book.

His daughter, Clea, who is scheduled to appear at the Book Festival of the MJCCA on Nov. 15, told me in a recent interview that she believes her father initiated the project to confront some of the demons he faced as he entered the final decades of his life.

“It’s like this was his version of therapy. And after he went through this process is when he started to grow as a person. I mean, he really did make some dramatic changes later in his life. And, you know, during that time, you could feel it in the room when we were together as a family. It was pretty amazing.”

With brutal candor and a remarkable intelligence, he describes his early struggles to achieve success, his romance and marriage to Joanne Woodward and the painful loss of his son, Scott, who died at the age of 28 of a drug overdose. Without flinching he describes his own serious drinking problem that put such a strain on his married and family life. He freely admits in the book, that “I’ve always been in pain, always needed help.”

He struggled, even while young, in a prominent Jewish family in Cleveland in the late 1920s and 1930s when antisemitism was so evident in American life. Nonetheless, his daughter, Clea, remembers how he remained connected to his Jewish heritage.

“I think it was hard for him growing up. It was difficult for him in those days. But I think in some ways, as he says in one of the interviews, that he always associated himself more with his Jewish heritage because it was harder. It’s like he never wanted things to be easy. It’s like he wanted things to be hard so that he could wrestle with them.”

Ironically, it was his sense of giving back to society that might have been influenced by his Jewish roots that has become such an important part of his legacy.

In 1982, he started Newman’s Own, a company to distribute a salad dressing that he had created. All the profits of the company are donated to a foundation he established. Over the years, as the brand has become a familiar name in the nation’s supermarkets, it has generated $570 million dollars in grants to hundreds of charities, several which Newman was instrumental in helping to start. The Serious Fund Children’s Network program, for example, operates camps and programs in 50 countries on five continents. Almost 400,000 children with serious health problems have attended the program free of charge.

His daughter, Clea, believes that for all his worldly success he wanted to do better. She believes he wanted to be a more kind and more devoted father and to be a better husband. She thinks that until he died at the age of 82, he wanted to make changes in his life.

“Even though he might have been in his own mind an ordinary person,” his daughter says,” I think he lived his life, good and bad, in an extraordinary way. I mean, the work that it took for him to do all the soul searching that he talks about in the book is pretty amazing. I’d say, in a nutshell, I miss him. I pretty much miss everything about him.”

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man (by Paul Newman) Tuesday. November 15, 2022 at 7:30 PM In Person

Hanukkah Veronica, The Mitzvah Fairy

By Julie Anne Cooper and Wendy Brant

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Co-authors Julie Anne Cooper and Wen dy Brant will appear at the Atlanta Jewish Book Festival on Nov. 13 to introduce their Bonta Friends children’s book se ries. Through messages of kindness and love, kids are introduced to a variety of cul tures with characters who personify the spirit of giving within a celebration of diversity.

The education element at the books’ end of fers a short, well-researched history lesson includ ing details on how the holiday began, evolved and the meaning behind symbols. An expert in each culture works with the team to ensure authenticity and accuracy. Rabbi Levi Mentz, of Chabad at Forsyth, assisted with “Hanukkah Veronica.”

The co-authors met in the real estate industry in 2019. At a holiday party, Cooper sur prised Brant with a beautiful original watercolor picture she painted as a gift. From this simple act of kindness, this mitzvah, a deeper friendship was born. They discovered a simi lar passion…the desire to write children’s books. From that moment, the Bonta Friends proj ect took flight. Together, with artist Giovanni Lombardi, they brought to life their first book featuring the lovable character: “Hanukkah Veronica, The Mitzvah Fairy.”

The Bonta Friends series will include these future titles: "Halloween Hannah," "Christ mas Chloe," "Diwali Deepa," and "Kwanzaa Keisha." Each new story highlights different cus toms in a fun, engaging way.

The first Bonta Friends book and doll in the series is “Hanukkah Veronica: The Mitz vah Fairy,” which is summarized as: “One winter, Lucy was longing for a holiday compan ion. When Hanukkah Veronica arrives at her home, Lucy not only makes a friend, but also learns the power of kindness. Hanukkah Veronica reminds us all how just a little bit of magic goes a very long way.” The ”Hanukkah Veronica” book comes with a soft huggable plush doll, with hair that can be styled. The book opens with a quote from Anne Frank: “You can always give something, even if it is only kindness.”

Brant moved to Atlanta from Alabama where she met her husband and married into the Jewish faith. She currently resides in North Atlanta with her three children. Hanukkah Veronica is the companion rag doll created by Julie Anne, an artist, when her daughter, then only five, longed for a holiday companion.

Brant was born in Montreal, Canada. She was raised in the Jewish faith and has long admired many of the world’s holiday traditions. She and her husband, Rob, and their three children became Atlantans in 2010.  Whether it is improving her culinary skills, designing unique products, or completing a brand-new children’s book, she is happiest creating. “Our international characters will highlight the beauty of Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Di wali, and Halloween, through these heart-warming stories,” says Cooper.

In terms of timing, Brandt told the AJT, “The last few years have been a challenge, and many people have struggled in a variety of ways, physically and mentally. As adults, in our personal lives, and even in governments, we have been approaching our issues with anger and fear. We have been focusing not on what we have in common, but more on differences. A negative perspective has encouraged some to look for the bad in everything, as opposed to celebrating how far we have come, or the millions of stories of love and kindness that surround us daily.”

Cooper explained, “Our slogan is truly ‘The Best of Our World.’ Every country, every culture, and every person has made mistakes. We at Bonta Friends believe in an outlook that celebrates the good…stories highlighting the beauty of kindness and reminding us how every mitzvah, every act of love, no matter the religion, race, country or creed, has the power to transform lives.”

Wendy Brant & Julie Anne Cooper, Hanukkah Veronica, The Mitzvah Fairy Sunday. November 13, 2022 at 12:00 PM

BOOK

The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow by Michael Roizen, Peter Linneman, Ph.D., and Albert Ratner

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

With over half a century as a highly respected physician, New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Michael Roizen, is dedi cated to helping us all live younger longer.

The new release, ‘The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger To morrow " shares his well-researched concept of rebooting your life. Roizen’s book presents a convincing plan how we can be better prepared for living longer. From a healthier future, with less disability, to practical ways to navigate medical challenges and enjoy life more, this comprehensive book offers insights to crack the code.

As the chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic, chief medical con sultant on The Dr. Oz Show, author of four #1 New York Times bestselling books, and the originator of the popular RealAge.com website, Roizen is board certified in anes thesiology and internal medicine and has devoted his life to the often-complicated worlds of health, wellness and prevention.

Along with acclaimed economists Peter Linneman and Albert Ratner, this A-team of talent delivers a convincing and informative book – from reengineering aging cells to DNA manipulation to critical scientific discoveries and medical breakthroughs de tailing how this shift will occur.

With a focus on a healthier lifestyle and taking care of each organ by organ, the authors share a plan for a youthful appearance, mental agility, increased passion and vigor, plus strong finances.

In a recent AJT interview, Roizen said, “The main thing to understand about rebooting your life is that you are a genetic engineer. Change your attitude as your choices matter. Do things that you like, that like your body back. Have a posse and a passion to share life with and begin your approach to longevity today.”

He added, “This is the most important book I’ve written. It helps people prepare for the disruptors that happen in aging that cause an emotional and physical change.”

Roizen's advice continued, “Believe it or not, living to 100, 120, or even 130 years old will become increasingly common over the next decade. Life past 100 may not be what you think. Cutting-edge science and technology will revolutionize our ability to live longer, younger, and better.”

This book will help you make valuable decisions for your brain, body, and even your bank account. It illuminates the prevention, treatment, and technology that will help you to redefine and reshape how we think about aging and life. Most of all, the book aims at helping us proactively and purposefully plan for a better, happier and healthier future.

Michael F. Roizen, M.D., The Great Age Reboot

Wednesday. November 16, 2022 at 7:30 PM

In Person

BOOK FESTIVAL PREVIEW

If You Want Something Done…Leadership Lessons from Bold Women

by Nikki Haley

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Rounding out the 2022 Book Festival of the JCC former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley will appear on Sunday night, Nov. 13 at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta in Dunwoody. Haley’s new book is rather diminutive in size, yet voluminous in messaging as “If You Want Something Done…Leadership Lessons from Bold Women.” The title and inspiration are credited to the “go-getting” British female leader Margaret Thatcher, who said, “If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.”

Certainly in line with the contemporary genre of easy to break down chapter books compiling subjects in a theme, Haley’s book features a wide range of women who worked against obstacles and opposition as courageous trail blazers. Some are well known like Amelia Earhart, some less so, like Virginia Walden Ford, education advocate, and civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin.

Favoritism notwithstanding, late Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir is the subject of Chapter 3 which Haley headed, “Winners do what losers don’t want to,” which reportedly came from a fortune cookie saying. Meir is referred to as a “global icon” with some lesserknown facts: Meir lost five older siblings in their infancy, she survived a pogrom, and, later, she committed to the statement that “no one would save the Jews, if they didn’t do it themselves…staying still can be a death sentence.” Stubborn Golda rebuffed her mother’s plan to marry her off to a man almost twice her age, when she combined this stubbornness with idealism for the Jewish state and took off for Denver.

Another heroine featured is a Yazidi woman, Nadia Murad, a kidnapped ISIS sex slave. ISIS “took her virginity, her religion, her soul. She was beaten, belittled and left as a shell of human flesh.” Now as a speaker and Nobel Peace Prize winner, she has the ear of world leaders.

Referring to herself as a brown Asian/Indian woman facing many odds, Haley recounts how when President Trump asked her to serve in the UN, she agreed to accept only if the position was cabinet level and that she would be in the room when decisions were made. She said, “I am not going to be a wallflower or a talking head.” Many recall her very staunch support of Israel and criticism of some of very bad actors not being called out for favorable treatment at the UN.

Still front and center in national news, she was a recent guest host on the popular “The Five” panel on Fox News. A week prior, she was the subject of negative comments made about her by Sunny Hostin on ABC’s “The View,” where Hostin jabbed at Haley, who was not pres ent, for using her “Americanized” nickname and husband’s last name to cover up her more complicated Indian birth name. There were two quick and subsequent responses: a co-panelist on “The View” referred to Hostin’s own passport and birth name as “Asuncion,” then Haley herself on news shows retorting that she has always shown photos of her parents in traditional Indian garb and written volumes about them and her heritage pride in her previous book and press appearances. “No hiding there,” said Haley.

Whether you like her politics or not, Haley is sure to engage the audience in Atlanta and satisfy both sides of the aisle in this new book.

Nikki R. Haley, If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons from Bold Women Sunday. November 13, 2022 at 7:30 PM

In Person

Lies My Mother Told Me

by Melissa Rivers

By Lou Ladinsky

If you loved the comedic genius of Joan Rivers with her outrageous sense of humor, then you will love Melissa Rivers' new book, “Lies My Mother Told Me,” written in her mother’s voice. As you may know, Joan Rivers was known for her controversial comments on all topics, especially to other celebrities and politicians. You would never know what she would say next. Nothing is held back in this book as Melissa Rivers embellishes each chapter, blending her mother’s amazing wit with her own.

She tackles many subjects ranging from the first Thanksgiving, Walt Disney, the birds and the bees, the Last Sup per, Anne Frank, a trip to Israel, King Tut, the Garden of Eden, the royal-ish wedding and many other topics, answering questions as if her mother was speaking to her. If you are seeking the truth to any of the topics in this book, a boring history book would be a better source of information. However, the shockingly funny lies told in this book are far more entertaining. I especially liked the advice Rivers’ mom gave her daughter regarding mar riage and men.

One word of caution: these are not stories you should read to your children. The subject matter is very mature in nature and, if you remember Joan Rivers' sense of humor, you will see why as you read this book. The last thing you want is your child reciting back these lies to their teachers, spiritual leaders and other children unless you want to spend time in the principal’s office explaining the source of information.

From page one of the first chapter to the final page of the last chapter, I had a smile on my face the entire time. The book was hilarious and was hard to put down once I started reading it. In fact, if you could close your eyes while reading this book, you could clearly envision Joan Rivers answer ing all her daughter’s questions posed in the book in the style only Joan could convey. You could feel her spirit on every page. I am glad to see that Melissa Rivers inherited her mother's sense of humor along with her own distinctive style.

Melissa Rivers, Lies My Mother Told Me: Tall Tales from a Short Woman Saturday. November 5, 2022 at 8:00 PM In Person

Michael Oren, Swann's War Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022

7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A and book signing. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

Member: $17 & Non-Member: $22

Dr. Becky Kennedy, Good Inside Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Author talk, and audience Q & A.

This program will be held at: The Alfred and Adele Davis Academy 8105 Roberts Drive, Atlanta 30350

*There will not be a book signing at this event; books are pre-signed.

Free Ticket and Book: $36

Jon Meacham, And There Was Light Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Author talk, and audience Q & A. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

*There will not be a book signing at this event; books are pre-signed.

Free Ticket and Book: $40

Melissa Rivers, Lies My Mother Told Me Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A and book signing. This is an in-person event. One Ticket and a book: $38 Two Tickets and a book: $60

Bernie Marcus with Catherine Lewis Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Author talk, and audience Q & A. Member: $20 & Non-Member $27 Sponsored by Atlanta Jewish Times

Lisa Barr, Woman on Fire: A Novel Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A, and book signing. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

Member: $12 & Non-Member $17

Julia Haart, Brazen Wednesday, Nov.9, 2022

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A, and book signing. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

Member: $20 & Non-Member $27

BOOK FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Roni Robbins, Hands of Gold: A Novel Thursday Nov. 10, 2022

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A, and book signing. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta. Free and open to the community: includes sweets and drinks.

Sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Times

Andrew Young and Ernie Suggs Saturday, Nov. 11, 2022

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A, and book signing. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

Member: $20 & Non-Member $27

Wendy Brant & Julie Anne Cooper, Hanukkah Veronica, The Mitzvah Fairy Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Author talk, and audience Q & A. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta. Free and open to the community.

Nikki R. Haley, If You Want Something Done

Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta. There will not be a book signing at this event; all books will include a signed bookplate.

One Ticket and a book: $38

Two Tickets and a book: $60

Clea Newman Soderlund, The Extraordinary Life...

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A, and book signing. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

Member: $20 & Non-Member $27

Alyson Richman and Shaunna Edwards, The Thread Collectors

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A, and book signing. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

Member: $12 & Non-Member $17

Matt Paxton, Keep the Memories

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Author talk, and audience Q & A. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

Free and open to the community.

Nyle DiMarco, Deaf Utopia: A Memoir

Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Author talk, audience Q & A, and book signing. This is an in-person event at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta.

Member: $17 & Non-Member $22

Member & Non-Member + Book $36

*Interpreting service provided.

More 2022 Interesting Books For Jewish Readers

By Bob Bahr

October sees the publication of three titles many Jewish book readers may find interesting. Due this month is a rare fictional work by American Jew ish Nobel laureate, Louise Glück, a biog raphy by former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a new novel by best-selling author Dani Shapiro.

Glück, the 79-year-old poet and es sayist who won the 2020 Nobel Prize in literature, has created what she calls a prose narrative about the first year of life of twin girls, “Marigold and Rose, A Fiction,” which was released on Oct.11. For the author, who is best known for her published collections of poetry and her two volumes of essays, the slim, 66page book is her first work of fiction.

Her publicists breathlessly called it, “Simultaneously sad and funny, and shot through with a sense of stoic won der, this small miracle of book…is unlike anything Glück has written, while at the same time it is inevitable, transcen dent.” In addition to her Nobel Prize, the author has collected just about ev ery major writing award offered to an American author.

The long-awaited memoir by the controversial and long-serving former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netan yahu is coming Oct. 18 and is entitled, “Bibi: My Story.” The book promises “eye-opening candor” about the life and long career of the political leader who

had a highly contentious relationship with President Barack Obama and a much different one with his successor, which culminated in the important dip lomatic agreement between Israel and four Arab states in 2020.

The book comes at a time when the Israeli leader is fighting for his political life as the leader of Likud, Israel’s larg est political party, during the upcoming national elections scheduled for Nov. 1. The Book Festival of the MJCCA is part

of a virtual presentation by the Streicker Center of Temple Emanu-El and the Na tional JCC Literary Consortium on Oct. 20. You must buy his book through the festival to attend.

A new novel by Dani Shapiro, “Sig nal Fires,” an author with a strong fol lowing in Atlanta, is due the same day as the Netanyahu autobiography, Oct. 18. Shapiro attracted a large crowd when she spoke at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs four years ago about her previ

ous book, the nonfictional “Inheritance,” about the tangled story of her concep tion through artificial insemination.

Her latest book is set in summer eve ning during the mid-1980s, when three teenagers, who have been drinking are involved in an automobile accident that alters the lives of everyone involved. Sha piro, is also back for her fourth season of her highly successful podcast, “Family Secret,” which launched last month. The production, which is created in Atlanta,

Avivah Zornberg's new book examines Leviticus.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s new book comes just before Israeli national elections.

"Signal Fires" is the latest novel by Atlanta favorite, Dani Shapiro.

BOOK FESTIVAL PREVIEW

has collected 25 million downloads over the past several years.

Another popular writer, Gary Shteyngart, has a new humorous nov el, “Country Friends,” about a diverse group of eight friends who gather in a country house in New York’s Hudson River Valley to spend six months wait ing out the pandemic. It was inspired in part by Shteyngart’s love of a fellow Rus sian writer, Anton Chekhov, who was strongly influenced by life in the coun tryside. The host, Sasha Senderovsky, like Shteyngart, a Russian-Jewish-Amer ican writer, calls the setting the “Dacha of Doom.” The novel, which has more than a few belly laughs, has generated strong reviews, particularly from the New York Times which called it Shteyn gart’s “finest yet.” It was an Amazon Best Book selection.

More serious readers may find the latest book by Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg, “The Hidden Order of Intimacy,” her provocative reflections on the biblical Book of Leviticus. Zornberg was also a guest a Temple Sinai several years ago. In the past, she has written highly origi nal works on the books of Genesis, Exo

dus and Numbers as well as a popular work about Moses in Yale University’s Jewish Lives series.

Zornberg, who has a PhD in English literature and taught at Hebrew Univer sity in Jerusalem, draws upon a broad selection of literature, philosophy and psychoanalytic theory as well as more traditional sources and rabbinic mi drash. Publishers Weekly describes how “this outstanding exegesis builds on its penetrating analysis of the Golden Calf and a surprising roster of sources—in cluding Aristotle, George Eliot and Sig mund Freud—to arrive at an original and persuasive take on Leviticus.”

The Jewish Publication Society of fers Edward Feld’s work on Biblical his tory, “The Book of Revolutions: The Bat tles of Priests, Prophets and Kings That Birthed the Torah.” It describes the To rah as an epic historical story of ancient Israel full of wars and conflicts that were resolved into three important legal codes: the Covenant Code of Exodus, the Deuteronomic Code of Deuteronomy, and the Holiness Code of Leviticus. They have all been important forces in shap ing contemporary Judaism. ì

Siegel

Jonah Siegel Sheldon Berch

Sheldon Berch

Andy

Andy

Local Family Touts Home Schooling

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

COVID-19 may have raised aware ness to the potential spread of germs among students, but home schooling has long been around. Advantages and disad vantages persist.

Will kids be ready for the real world? How will they score on standardized test ing? Will the at-home parents experience loss of income? Will there be more aca demic freedom?

Harvard University’s college admis sions policy is to treat homeschoolers the same as traditional applicants. Ana Reed–Kissick and her husband, Clark, an electrical engineer, are one such couple who made this decision for their young family.

Ana, who studied sociology, massage therapy and body work, attended public school in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

Regarding the challenge of home schooling, Ana said, “We feel, with our respective backgrounds, that we’re wellequipped and well-rounded for teaching. Clark contributes STEM projects; howev

er, I am the primary teacher on Monday through Friday. My driving motivation to home school in the beginning was a desire to encourage the children’s own interests. There are many philosophies; and the beauty is that the parent can pick which is beneficial to their family.”

Socialization is a hot topic in the home school community. Decades ago, it

was more challenging but has now been made easier with the advent of the inter net. Most home schools operate out of a co-op which meets weekly or bi-weekly, and are informative, enriching and packed with field trips.

Ana said, “Parental involvement is key. Enrichment activities could be any thing from world religions to an herbal

identification walk at a state park, eco nomics for children, or guitar club. What sets these apart from public school is 100 percent parent involvement. This is how we account for socialization.”

Between co-ops, friend playdates oc cur organically. Ana continued, “Much time in traditional school is spent be ing told to listen and be quiet. Our kids

Clark Reed-Kissick leads STEM projects while Ana serves as the primary educator.

The Reed-Kissicks belong to a co-op which is one avenue for socialization and organic friendships.

interact and learn in ways that cultivate friendships as a goal versus traditional school where friendships can be a result.”

The couple’s son attends an in-per son Jewish education program.

Ana shared, “Many are now opting for Jewish studies completely online. I hear great things about Nigri Jewish On line School or Melamed Academy.”

Ana’s curriculum is comprised of books, worksheets, literature, teaching manuals and student guides with a pleth ora of hands-on projects. The typical school day starts after breakfast with the ability to run outside for 10 minutes with restarts. Finishing instruction around 1 p.m., with all assignments for the day having been completed, satisfies the state requirements. A typical day includes math, science, reading, language arts, so cial sciences, history and electives. Peri odic curriculum-based tests measure the students’ learning milestones.

Ana eschews the perceived disadvan tages of home schooling. “Advantages are endless. Your school day can start anytime. As long as you meet the daily requirements, you can start school at noon if your teen is a late sleeper. Have a chance to travel abroad? Pack the books, do school while on a trip. Need to care for a relative? The kids come for a learning opportunity.”

While others may question blurred lines between the roles of parent and teacher, Ana disputes that suggestion.

“We have never had a problem with

them learning from us. They have been taught to love learning, so if we are learn ing together, this is a loved, shared ex perience met with positivity. I’ve heard complaints about kids not wanting to listen to instruction from parents, from people who didn’t home school from the beginning like us. My advice would be to keep at it, and they will adjust. All parents experience burnout. Self-care is vital.”

Another hot topic in public schools is the debate over gender studies. Ana said, “I know this is a touchy topic. While our family loves and supports the choice of any gender or sexuality, it’s not some thing we want taught to our children at school. We believe families and children shouldn’t be marginalized because of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, reli gion, socio-economic status or disability.

“Our oral traditions back up the existence and ‘seen-ness’ of multiple dif ferent genders. We believe it’s being ad dressed too early in the name of politics and not the child’s best interests. I’m very moderate on this issue. I believe in inclu sivity, but gender/orientation is trendy in mass culture which influences mass social behavior.”

Ana concluded, “Ultimately, we hope to instill positive values and a love for learning to bring them happiness in life. A favorite quote is from Dr. Chaim Ginott, ‘Children are like wet cement, whatever falls on them makes an impression.’ Our intentions are to impress wisely.”

Ana Reed-Kissick’s goals are to instill a love of learning in her home-schooled children.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

Marcus Foundation Gives $250K for Workers Education

By Bob Bahr

The Marcus Foundation has an nounced a $250,000 grant to an Atlantabased educational resource to help encour age younger workers to consider a career in the construction industry. The grant, awarded to Trade Talks USA, will provide counseling materials, and help in referring those interested in a future in the building trades.

It is part of an effort by the Marcus Foundation, which was started by Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of The Home De pot, to call attention to a critical shortage of construction workers in Georgia and in the nation. At the foundation, Marcus Ru zek, a senior program director, considers the problem something that doesn’t garner enough attention.

“It’s a hidden societal problem. We do not have a robust enough pipeline to train more skilled tradespeople into things like carpentry, plumbing, heating and air condi tioning, electricians, and other construction workers. There is a massive need for more of them. The Marcus Foundation believes that our society has been fed a narrative that the only way to be successful is to go to college.

And we just don’t agree with that.”

According to the Associated Builders and Contractors, an industry trade group, the construction industry needs to recruit at least 65,000 additional workers this year on top of the normal pace of hiring to meet the demand for labor; not only in the demand-strong market like Atlanta, where construction continues at a record pace, but nationally. New legislation passed last fall to modernize the nation’s infrastruc ture of roads, bridges, tunnels, and other public works will create an unprecedented demand.

The pressure is already being felt. Ac cording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis tics, construction workers with only a high school education can make more than dou ble the average hourly wage than in other industries that are facing labor shortages. According to the federal agency, restaurant and hotel workers earn just over $18 an hour on average compared to almost $33 for construction workers.

For Ruzek, a crucial part of the problem is just getting the word out.

“You can have the greatest trades train ing or job training program in the world. And if people don’t have access to it and

Trade Talks USA has received several grants from the Marcus Foundation to stimulate interest in construction trades.

they don’t know that it exists, then it’s not worth anything. And so, you know, part of what trade talks is doing here is challenging the country’s narrative around these career fields.”

This is the third grant that the founda tion has made to Trade Talks USA, which works with the Georgia’s Construction Ready program of the technical college sys tem to develop short term training opportu nities.

“The technical college system of Geor gia is an example where we actually help them produce a marketing material that re ally promoted the construction trades pro grams within the technical college system, as well as one program in particular, to help recruit heating and air conditioning techni cians,” said Dave McCulloch, executive di rector of Trade Talks USA. “They were look ing to really get the word out because that is one of those areas that really has a high demand for those positions.”

Not only is the construction industry interested in recruiting new workers, but in keeping them once they are trained. Accord ing to government statistics over the past de cade, the average monthly turnover rate in construction has been 5.2 percent compared to 3.6 percent for all industries.

With fewer workers, the industry is increasingly turning to technology to solve the problem. Michael Bellaman, the presi dent and chief executive officer of the As

sociated Builder and Contractors, says the organization’s members spent $1.3 billion on technological training in the last year for the industry’s employees.

“The industry is using technology and innovation to basically handle this disrup tion with regards to the labor shortage. There’s more use of drones, robotics, and additive manufacturing,” Bellaman said. “That, though, creates new career opportu nities in those innovation and technology spaces. And we’re hoping that’s very attrac tive to the younger generation.”

Without more new workers, the con struction industry, where the average age of workers is 43, is only going to continue to age. It’s given a new urgency not only to what foundations are doing, but what the industry, according to Marcus Ruzek, is do ing to help itself.

“Industry is the one that really needs to own this and take this situation further. Philanthropy can only do so much. It’s got to come from within the industry. Home De pot has actually started an internal business workforce development program that is all about building talent and pipelines and helping provide the Home Depot with pros, which are the contractors and subcontrac tors that work with Home Depot, providing them with access to really great construc tion talent. And so, they’ve been leading the way in the industry, but they’re not the only one that needs to step up to the plate.” ì

Preteen Counselor Teaches Mindfulness

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Native Atlantan Ginger Judge shares guidance on hot topics like so cial media safety, conflict reso lution and self-awareness for grades five through eight as the middle school counselor for The Epstein School. Utilizing mindfulness, yoga, and other therapies, she works individu ally with students regarding social and emotional issues like friendship challenges, anxiety, classwork organization, and meets with small groups of stu dents experiencing similar chal lenges. Partnering with families is also a top priority.

Regarding social media, Judge said, “Students today face challenges that my gen eration, luckily, never did. If social media ex isted when I was a teen, I can only imagine the angst. It breaks my heart that so much of students’ energy is spent creating facades and comparing themselves to others on so cial media. Many blame COVID for the fac tual decline in mental health in teens, but

this began well before 2020. My position is strong: social media is isolating, depressing, and anxiety provoking. As hard as it is, my advice to parents is to limit, or completely remove access to phones, computers, and tech nological devices outside of edu cational purposes. There is so much research about the nega tive effects of social media on teens; it’s unrealistic to stop all social media completely, which is why I use the social emotional curriculum with students. ‘Win at Social’ centers around how to help (pre)teens navigate social media.”

Judge attended Westminster High School and graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology from Emory University before earning her master’s in education with school counseling. Prior to having her two sons, she was a school counselor for Gwin nett County. At Epstein, each grade has three advisors. Ginger meets with each grade level advisor weekly to discuss academic, emo tional, and social concerns. This provides weekly student insight. Judge, along with

Principal Susanna Ames, have high school advisement meetings with each eighth grad er’s family. They also discuss the best high school fit for each student. The recommenda tions come from teacher feedback, their own observations and family priorities.

Behavioral issues with students are handled by Ames. If it is linked to emotional issues, Judge meets with the student indi vidually. Due to Epstein’s size, students have immediate access to Judge. If they need to see her, they can send a message in Teams, email her, or pop in during lunch, recess, or snack time. If she is not available, it’s easy to schedule a time within the day or by the next morning. She furthered, “My research and experience affirm the importance of pa rental support and the integral role it plays in how students feel about themselves. Our community is extremely accepting, and we welcome all students for who they are. While some families take a bit longer to accept their child’s sexual orientation or gender identity, for example, our parents are extremely sup portive.

In linking Judaism to counseling, she does meditation sessions with the eighth grade during Tefillah. Those sessions are centered around the text study that Judaic studies teacher Robbie Medwed leads. Judge expounded, “I don’t believe that Jewish par

ents are any more protective or controlling than any other group. There’s an emphasis on succeeding, but I truly believe that is the case in most independent school families. It seems that this emphasis stems from the extraordinary competition surrounding col lege admissions. Parents often begin the fo cus on college as early as fifth grade.”

An example of a mindfulness activity is the “5, 4, 3, 2, 1 grounding technique.” The student uses this skill under distress: notice five things you see, four things you feel, three things you hear, two things you smell and one to taste. Students with severe anxiety find this helpful and carry around candy or gum for taste distraction. During the school day, Judge teaches yoga which has proven to help with stress management.

She said, “They get physically stron ger while learning to control breathing and focus on themselves. Too often, our society downplays the importance of self-care. This is something I speak to my students about often.”

Judge also recently started a pilot horse back riding program. As a certified thera peutic riding instructor, Judge said,” It helps with focus, responsibility, compassion for animals, and more. I’m very aware how for tunate I am that Epstein has given me this opportunity.” ì

Judge works individually with students and in small groups to explore social and emotional issues.

Ginger Judge attended The Westminster School

serves

counselor

Epstein Middle School.

From Pre-K through 12th grade, creating opportunities for each child to thrive is

THE

WOODWARD WAY

The most monumental journeys begin with one step.

Let’s begin together.

BBYO Hosts Action-Packed Activities & Convention

By Debbie Diamond

The Greater Atlanta Region BBYO will host its new member convention this month, from Oct. 21-23. Freshmen at high schools across metro Atlanta will learn about the traditions and rituals of the almost 100-year-old organization during sessions throughout the weekend.

According to Abby Lesorgen, senior regional director of the Greater Atlanta Region of BBYO, Atlanta is one of the top five largest regions in the 70,000+ mem ber, international organization. Here in Atlanta, there are 1,000 teen members in 11 B’nai B’rith Girls (BBG) and Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) chapters. Planners ex pect 150 new members to be part of the upcoming convention. In addition to the new members, 14 regional board mem bers and two representatives from each chapter will attend.

“BBYO is steeped in tradition, and this weekend is the best way for our new est members to get a taste of what the BBYO is all about in the shortest amount of time,” said Lesorgen.

Attendees will have an opportunity

to meet other teens, as well as spend time with members of their specific chapters.

Several activities have been planned to facilitate bonding and new friend ships. Past conventions have included rock painting, creating chapter-themed friendship bracelets and participating in inter-chapter sports. There will also be unstructured time during the weekend to encourage conversations and connection among the participants.

On the final day of the convention, all 11 chapters will come together for a region al business meeting. Programming ideas will be discussed and plans for upcoming events finalized. The weekend will con clude with a friendship circle, providing an opportunity for the teens to highlight the convention’s most special moments and recognize their new connections.

Following the convention, BBYO will offer Young Atlanta Leadership Lessons (YALL) to all members. The program is held on a succession of 10 Wednesdays from November through March and helps hone the skills needed for mem bers to become successful leaders. Each session is led by a different set of Greater Atlanta BBYO regional board members or guest presenters, and covers topics including program planning, communi cation, fundraising, Jewish enrichment, community service, member recruit ment, retention, and leadership values. Participants will use the skills they ac quire to plan and implement regional programs at the spring convention.

BBYO members will be busy during

the 2022-23 school year with a full array of community service, social and athletic events. In the past, members have donat ed school supplies to fill backpacks, do nated canned goods to food pantries and written letters to senior citizens. A win ter basketball league is popular, and in cludes six regular games, playoffs, and a jersey for each participant. There are also Zumba classes and a flag football league.

There will be three regional con ventions held during the 2022-23 school year, a global Shabbat in December at Temple Sinai and an international con vention held in Dallas during Presidents’ Day weekend. According to Lesorgen, “Atlanta always has one of the largest delegations at this convention.” Planners expect 3,000 teens from 50 countries at this year’s event.

“BBYO provides real life experiences for teens, enabling them to develop lead ership, interpersonal, and organizational skills that they can take into college and the future. Our teens are well-rounded leaders who will make a difference in their communities,” said Lesorgen. ì

Galloway students confidently embrace challenges while developing the knowledge, skills, and cultural competence to thrive as enlightened contributors in their chosen pathways.

Greater Atlanta Aleph Zadik Aleph chapter presidents, or “Godolim,” gather at the Leadership Training Institute.

Greater Atlanta B’nai B’rith Girls Board at Greater Atlanta BBYO Region convention.

Reece B. and Noa Y. led Havdalah services at the most recent BBYO convention.

Greater Atlanta BBYO Regional Board together at the installation of officers.

Saint

ARTS

Relationships Gluing Jewish Melodrama

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

As streaming services vie for loyal, if not obsessive viewers, Netflix has produced a subset of edgy, quasi-con troversial Jewish content. The 20-part series, “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem,” embroils audiences in a melodrama about a Sephardic family originally portrayed in an Israeli TV series and a book, of the same name, by Yishai Levy.

Besides the predictable, and more likely unpredict able, machinations of the Armoza family, much of the sto ryline focuses on the political and social climate of Pales tine under Ottoman rule, followed by the British Mandate and then by a period of depression and war.

The thought-provoking parts of the series were juicy and varied. Between the Irgun and Hagana, who were the terrorists versus the good guys? Who looked down upon whom in the Sephardic/Ashkenazi matrix? What part of marriage is duty, love or acceptance of infidelity? What is the maximum level of tolerance of an interfering mother as the family kingpin, and can the audience dare to like her?

As the beauty queen, life can be ever so fashionable: dancing, courting, plotting and running the town’s gour met store…until it isn’t. Soldiers don’t come back from war. The Jewish, mystic witch doctor bathes evils in cow intes tines and serves as the truth teller. It’s all so deliciously ad dictive, wrapped in a Ladino bow with husbandly jaunts to Beirut, mingling in opium dens in a house of ill repute. It’s hard to turn away from a train wreck clothed in Jewish

The Armoza family has a plate full of trouble amidst the possibility of an elitist life in the new Netflix series, “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem.”

tradition and historical back drop.

Contemporary Sephardic woman Suzanne Eisenberg related, “’The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’ magnifies the tensions between the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews in Is rael during the British rule and suggests that the Sephardi Jews in Jerusalem were wealthier and had more influence than the Ashkenazi. Many of the former during the British rule were from Spain and Portugal and had been there for hundreds of years when they were forced out during the Spanish Inquisition.”

Although the Sephardi Jews are portrayed as more established, outside of Jerusalem, the kibbutz movement was becoming popular, as was the push for Israeli state hood. Most of the Jews from these two movements were predominantly Ashkenazi.

One discrepancy in the show is how the guerilla groups of the time, like the Irgun and Haganah, are por trayed as dangerous terrorists when, in reality, many were hailed as heroes by the Jews living in Palestine.

The fact that the series barely mentions the rising antisemitism and Nazism in Europe at the time was dis turbing. The Grand Mufti of the Middle East was very an tisemitic and incited the Arabs, which led to revolts and massacres of Jews in the 1920s and 1930s.

Many British officials in the series are shown as benev olent, free of prejudice toward the Jews or Zionists. That is a major historical inaccuracy. After 1948, most Sephardim were forced out of Arab countries and became refugees in Israel but were not depicted as such in the series. Some were not as elitist as the Sephardic Jews in "Beauty Queen." They were heavily discriminated against and had to work hard to advance in Israeli society, which was mostly domi nated by post-Holocaust Ashkenazi refugees.

Egyptian-born octogenarian Laurette Hanein noted that the cuisine and customs in the series were realistic. “The foods shown included a very popular dish: macaroni hamin, a stew of noodles and chicken cooked overnight; so frito, a meat and potato dish; huevos haminados, or hardboiled eggs cooked overnight; borekitas, or small cheese pastries; rice pudding; sutlac; and ring-shaped cookies.”

Fans Janet and Hilton Kupshik said, “After the first few episodes, we became fascinated and found it exciting. The characters really drew us in.”

Can’t get enough? Stay tuned for the second season which began shooting in June. Ironically, the series was first scheduled to be shot in Kiev before the Ukraine-Russia war broke out. ì

The Netflix series, “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem,” is an eyeopening view of Jewish life under Ottoman and British rule.

WHAT WE DO:

Polly Adler was an internationally notorious madam in Jazz Age Manhattan, whose opulent brothels served as secret salons where celebrities, politicians, gangsters, businessmen, athletes and entertainers mingled.

What's Jewish About...

The Jazz Age: How Madam Polly Adler Made the Roaring Twenties Roar

In this month’s column, Pulitzer Prize-winning, historian author Debby Applegate shares a fas cinating perspective on Polly Adler in her book, “Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age.”

Tell us about the iconic Polly Adler.

“Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age” (Doubleday) by Debby Applegate is for sale wherever books are sold.

Adler was an internationally notorious madam in Jazz Age Manhattan, whose opulent brothels served as secret salons where celebrities, politicians, gangsters, businessmen, athletes and entertainers mingled. Newspapers dubbed her “the female Al Capone” but she called herself an unorthodox Horatio Alger hero. “A cyni cal person might say my life had been a typical American success story,” Adler said. “From a nobody to a legend.”

How did her Jewish upbringing shape her?

Adler was born in 1900 in a small town, a “shtetl” in Yiddish, in the Russian Pale, now Belarus. Unlike most girls of the era, her parents encouraged her passion for education. She was studying with the local rabbi to go to school in the city of Pinsk, when pogroms began sweeping through Russia and her father decided to move the family to America. Adler went first, landing alone on Ellis Island in December 1913.

What happened when she got to America?

Before her family could join her, World War I began, leaving 14-year-old Adler stranded among strangers. She quit school to take a job in a garment factory in Brooklyn, but trouble followed. She was date-raped by her boss, became pregnant, had an illegal abortion and was thrown out of her home. Desperate, she turned to the sex trade to survive, as she said, “until I had saved enough money to quit and find myself a decent man.”

How was her fate shaped by the Roaring Twenties?

Adler opened her first brothel in 1920, the same year that Prohibition began, criminalizing the sale of liquor in the U.S. Ironically, banning booze glamorized the under world of vice, to Polly’s benefit. “I was a creation of the times, of an era whose credo was: ‘Anything which is economically right is morally right,’” she remembered. “In fact, if I had all of history to choose from, I could hardly have picked a better age in which to be a madam.”

What happened when she turned her ambition to crime?

“If I had to be a madam,” Adler declared, “I was determined to be the best goddam madam in all America.” She hit the jackpot when she befriended Arnold Rothstein, czar of the Jewish underworld, and big-time bootleggers Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel and Dutch Schultz. In the Jewish tradition of the balabusta, she combined warm hospitality with hard-headed business sense. Soon enough, she was entertaining the luminaries of Wall Street, Madison Avenue, Broadway, Hollywood and Washington, D.C.

Did she ever get caught?

By the 1930s, Adler’s notoriety attracted the attention of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and gangbuster Thomas E. Dewey. She went on the lam to Miami, Havana and Los An geles. But in 1935, the NYPD finally sent her to jail for 30 days. Ironically, the newspaper publicity only burnished her reputation. Her brothel became the chic, after-hours hideaway for the sophisticates of Café Society and in 1939 she was proudly featured in Fortune magazine. Adler thrived through World War II, catering to military men and visiting dignitaries.

How did her career end?

After 25 years as the “Queen of Tarts,” Adler had achieved her version of the American Dream, but she still craved mainstream respect. So, in 1945, she retired to Los Angeles and went back to school, earning a high school diploma and an associate degree at L.A. City College. In 1953, Adler published “A House is Not a Home,” a memoir of her criminal career. It was a smash hit, selling two million copies in a dozen languages, catapulting her to literary celebrity. The film rights were sold to Hollywood with Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck, Ethel Merman and Martha Raye competing to play “the Jewish Jezebel.” The 1964 film starring Shelley Winters bombed, but the costume designer Edith Head was nominated for an Academy Award, the title song by Burt Bacharach became a hit and Raquel Welch made her film debut as one of Adler’s girls.

How is Adler remembered?

When Adler died in 1963, she was a bona fide legend. Long, respectful obituaries ran in newspapers across the country. “The old cat died a literary lion,” proclaimed Time magazine. But above all, she was a survivor. As she once quipped, “I can only say that I am one of those people who just can’t help getting a kick out of life—even when it’s a kick in the teeth.”

“Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age” (Doubleday) by Debby Applegate is for sale wherever books are sold. Visit www.debby-applegate.com.

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

Photography Credit: The Polly Adler Collection courtesy of Eleanor Vera.

The philanthropic choices you make today will echo across generations. When you invest your money through Atlanta Jewish Foundation, you’re investing in your Jewish community.

We believe in the power of educating philanthropists to construct a better future for Jewish Atlanta—and the world. Through personalized philanthropic advising and planning and superb customer service, we can take your philanthropy higher than you ever imagined and lay the foundation for a thriving Jewish future.

For more information visit AtlantaJewishFoundation.org or contact Ghila Sanders at gsanders@jewishatlanta.org.

Invested

your children & grandchildren will inherit. BUILD THE WORLD

CALENDAR

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15

Etz Chaim Team Shabbat - 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Kids Programs. Join one of our Team Shabbat Leagues. Find out more at https://bit.ly/3dKsbD9.

Tot Shabbat and Kiddush Lunch - 11 a.m. Join Congregation Beth Shalom for an interactive Tot Shabbat and sing, play and engage in fun activi ties, followed by a wonderful Shabbat Kiddush lunch together. https://bit. ly/3rBWd03.

Intown Sukkot Festival – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pizza & Treats, Inflatables, Bal loon Artist! Fun Holiday Fun for the Entire Family! Join the Jewish Intown Community at Chabad Intown on the Beltline. Sukkot is a time to gather with family and friends so bring yours to this fun event for the entire family! Lunch, treats, inflatables, a balloon artist, and Lulav and Etrog shaking! Get more information at https://bit. ly/3V1O4OQ.

Sukkot Community Social - 11 a.m. Enjoy a delicious Holiday brunch, Sukkot traditions, and Community Unity! Open to all! Join Congregation Beth Israel by Rsvping at https://bit. ly/3SqIzro.

Sukkah Stars Talent Show– 2 to 5 p.m. Gesher Kesher’s first annual Sukkah Star Talent Show! Register at https:// bit.ly/3RX1T1K.

Sukkot BBQ 2022 – 4 to 6 p.m. Join us in the Sukkah for a delicious BBQ din ner and fun with caricature artists! We look forward to celebrating with you at OVS. Register at https://bit. ly/3E910MX.

OCTOBER 15-30

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17

Simchat Torah Celebration – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Congregation Or VeShalom to celebrate Simchat Torah with danc ing, food, drinks and more! Featuring a magic show for kids of all ages by magician Ken Scott. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3CkvlGX.

Simchat Torah Celebration! – 7 p.m. Great NY Deli Spread, Fun for en tire Family, Open Bar, Singing, Torah Dancing, Uplifting Inspiration, & Community Unity! Join Congregation Beth Israel by RSVPING at https://bit. ly/3RJyswV.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Jewish Genealogy Discussion Group - 1 to 2 p.m. A weekly discussion group of the seminars offered at the Interna tional Jewish Genealogy Conference held at the Lisa F Brill Institute in the Kuniansky Family Center at the MJC CA. Registration at the International Conference is required for participa tion in the discussion group. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3AjG0PZ.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

Celebrate Simchat Torah for our Little Ones - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Con gregation Beth Shalom and Dance, Sing, Play, we’ll have crafts and lots of snacks. It’s a fun-filled morning for all. Find out more at https://bit. ly/3QV6EoJ.

AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow High School Program - 5 to 8 p.m. LFT en ables young Jewish leaders to develop skills to advocate on behalf of the Jew ish people, Israel, and human rights, and to serve as positive change agents for their peers and community. Regis ter at https://bit.ly/3UIj0sl.

Tot Shabbat - 5:30 p.m. Tot Shabbat is led by Rabbi Jordan from Congrega tion Dor Tamid. Enjoy crafts, songs, fun activities, and more. Tot Shabbat is for kids under 4 years old with their parents/guardians. RSVP by visiting https://bit.ly/3LLJakS.

Kids Simchat Torah Celebration! – 7 p.m. Super Fun Kids Simchat Torah Service! Singing! Torah Dancing! Prizes! Delicious Kids KID-DISH! Up lifting Inspiration! Join Congregation Beth Israel by RSVPING at https://bit. ly/3US3Rjk.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Brain Health Bootcamp- 1 to 3 p.m. Vir tual Brain Health Bootcamp every Tuesday will combine gentle physi cal exercise, including yoga and exer cises to help reduce stress and anxiety, along with a full hour of brain exercis es done in a non-stress and engaging way of learning. For more informa tion visit https://bit.ly/3sr94RP.

Simchat Torah – 9:30 a.m. Join Congre gation Etz Chaim the day of Simchat Torah Tuesday, October 18 at 9:30 a.m. as we honor Ellen and Pip Spandorfer our Kallat Beresheit and Chatan Torah for their service to Etz Chaim. Register at https://bit.ly/3LK7HXL.

Global Connections: New Cancer Therapies and Medicines – 4 to 5 p.m. Moderator Robert Siegel, interviews experts on New Cancer Therapies and Medicines. Visit American Friends of Rabin Medical Center at https://bit. ly/3M5ezip to register.

Challahs Around the World – 7 to 9 p.m. Shabbat breads don’t start and end with the traditional egg challah we know. Lara Rush - private chef to the rich and famous, pastry chef and congregant of Etz Chaim - will bake a peaches-and-cream challah and a Ye menite kubaneh (both pareve) for us to taste. RSVP by visiting https://bit. ly/3SGQQHz.

Early Development for Gender Equity

7:30 to 9 p.m. Parents and educators are invited for a conversation about gender stereotypes and expectations, both in Judaism and the wider secu lar world. PJ Library and Sojourn also talk about the effects of gender stereo types and how to counteract gender bias at home and in the classroom. Get the zoom link by visiting https://bit. ly/3r7RGBr.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

Knit and Crochet Group- 1 to 3 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid on Zoom to socialize and crochet and knit bean ies for premature babies from home. For more information visit https://bit. ly/34Ru9wp.

Pinktober Mah Jongg Mixer with a Mission – 6:45 to 9 p.m. Please join Congregation Etz Chaim’s Sisterhood for Mah Jongg in a casual atmosphere with friends, food, and fun! All pro ceeds will benefit Turning Point Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. Reserve Tickets at https://bit.ly/3dKW71X.

Jazz on the Green – 6 p.m. Celebrate Jazz at Emory with the Emory Jazz Combos in a free outdoor performance. Find out more at https://bit.ly/3SyPrDk.

Hadassah Ketura ReConceiving In fertility – 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Please join Hadassah Greater Atlanta’s Ketura Group via Zoom as we learn about Hadassah’s newest initiative, ReCon ceiving Infertility, presented via Zoom by two of the best experts in the field of infertility: Register at https://bit. ly/3SaX0Qh.

An Evening with Eddie Barbash with Strings – 7:30 p.m. A special home town performance by saxophonist Eddie Barbash joined by the awardwinning KASA Quartet. The Breman Museum and Neranenah will join forces again to bring you a special hometown performance by saxo phonist Eddie Barbash. Purchase tick ets at https://bit.ly/3LLK7JY.

Urban Bush Women: Legacy + Lineage + Liberation – 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Ur ban Bush Women, founded in 1984 by choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, is a Brooklyn-based performance en semble and dance company under the artistic direction of Chanon Judson and Samantha Speis. Purchase tickets from the Schwartz Center by visiting https://bit.ly/3xRDj83.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Sukkot

Friday, October 14, (Tishrei 19, 5783) Light candles at 6:47 p.m. Saturday, October 15, (Tishrei 20, 5783) Shabbat ends 7:41 p.m.

Shemini Atzeret

Sunday, October 16, (Tishrei 21, 5783) Light Holiday Candles at 6:44 p.m. Monday, October 17, (Tishrei 22, 5783) Light Holiday Candles after 7:38 p.m.

Tuesday, October 18, (Tishrei 23, 5783) Holiday Ends 7:37

Torah Reading: Bereishit

Friday, October 21, (Tishrei 26, 5783) Light candles at 6:38 p.m. Saturday, October 22, (Tishrei 27, 5783) Shabbat ends at 7:33 p.m.

Torah Reading: Noach

Friday, October 28, (Cheshvan 3, 5783) Light candles at 6:31 p.m. Saturday, October 29, (Cheshvan 4, 5783) Shabbat ends at 7:26 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21

SOJOURN’s Drawing from the Well 12 to 1 p.m. an inclusive weekly meetup for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies. For more information visit https://bit. ly/3gxpDWP.

Shabbat, Me & Rabbi G at the JCC! – 5 to 5:30 p.m. Bring your children to the JCC for a Shabbat celebration featuring fun songs and blessings with Rabbi G!  Challah and grape juice are served.  Learn more at https://bit.ly/3UJz8ET.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

Kabbalah & Coffee - 9:30 to 11 a.m. A Weekly Study Series with Rabbi Ari Sollish and Young Jewish Profession als Atlanta. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3LP4o11.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24

Celebrating 26 Years! - 6:30 to 8 p.m. Join Chabad Intown and Celebrate 26 years of service to the Atlanta Jewish Community recognizing 26 years of leadership of Rabbi Eliyahu and Dena Schusterman and honoring the gener ous individuals who have given their time, energy and financial resources! Find more information at https://bit. ly/3E2YgAV.

Conversational Hebrew - 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. Learn Modern Hebrew and prac tice your skills with a beloved Hebrew Teacher from Temple Beth Tikvah. This class promises to be engaging, In formative, and enjoyable. Register at https://bit.ly/3DUkMf6.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

Little Acorns Fall Festival – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Nurture at The Avalon for their monthly Little Acorns cel ebration. Families of preschool aged children are invited for a spooky spec tacular morning. Children are encour aged to dress up in costumes. RSVP at https://bit.ly/3fsBIPO

Brain Health Bootcamp - 1 to 3 p.m. Virtual Brain Health Bootcamp every Tuesday will combine gentle physi cal exercise, including yoga and exer cises to help reduce stress and anxiety, along with a full hour of brain exercis es done in a non-stress and engaging way of learning. For more informa tion visit https://bit.ly/3sr94RP

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

Pride Shabbat – 9:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. Learn about Congregation Etz Chaim’s com mitment to our inclusive kehillah (community) and what programming is available from the CEC Pride Alli ance celebrating our LGBTQ+ com munity. Learn more at https://bit. ly/3r9WuGf.

Tot Shabbat and Kiddush Lunch - 11 a.m. Join Congregation Beth Shalom for an interactive Tot Shabbat and sing, play and engage in fun activi ties, followed by a wonderful Shabbat Kiddush lunch together. https://bit. ly/3rBWd03.

10th Annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festi val – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is the 10th Annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival. It is a fun family day centered around Kosher BBQ - Beef Brisket, Beef Ribs, Chicken and Chili. You don’t have to be Jewish to come and eat or compete in our KCBS judged BBQ competition. We will have music all day long as well as a huge kid’s area, Festival vendors, and a silent auction. Arrive around 11 to enjoy the competition food. Visit https://bit.ly/3Cdce1y for more infor mation.

Men’s Club Tailgate – 1 to 4 p.m. Catch the game at Gesher L’Torah’s Pavilion! Food and drinks served! Register at https://bit.ly/3RfSQVR.

Uncoupling: Divorce Support Group in Atlanta - 5:30 to 7p.m. A bi-monthly group from Jewish Family and Ca reer Services providing support and resources, and a safe place to process and share experiences related to di vorce and separation. Open to men and women of mixed ages. $35 per session. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3y96TH9.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26

Women’s Philanthropy Fall Event Fea turing Ana Sazonov – 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s annual Women’s Philanthropy Fall Event is the premier event of the year for women in our community. This issue is deeply personal to her: Ana is Ukrainian, herself. Find tickets at https://bit.ly/3rpyRcS.

T

T h e B e r m a n C e n t e r i s a l o c a l ,

C A R F a c c r e d i t e d , h a n d s o n

A t l a n t a t r e a t m e n t c e n t e r

O u r h i g h l y s k i l l e d t h e r a p i s t s c o c r e a t e a u n i q u e r e c o v e r y p r o g r a m w i t h y o u t h a t s u p p o r t s w h o y o u a r e , w h a t y o u n e e d , a n d w h a t y o u w a n t f o r y o u r l i f e

i

Early Development for Gender Equity

7:30 to 9 p.m. Parents and educators are invited for a conversation about gender stereotypes and expectations, both in Judaism and the wider secu lar world. PJ Library and Sojourn also talk about the effects of gender stereo types and how to counteract gender bias at home and in the classroom. Get the zoom link by visiting https://bit. ly/3r7RGBr.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

Knit and Crochet Group - 1 to 3 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid on Zoom to socialize and crochet and knit bean ies for premature babies from home. For more information visit https://bit. ly/34Ru9wp

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

SOJOURN’s Drawing from the Well - 12 to 1 p.m. an inclusive weekly meet up for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies. For more information visit https://bit. ly/3gxpDWP.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

Tot Shabbat and Kiddush Lunch - 11 a.m. Join Congregation Beth Shalom for an interactive Tot Shabbat and sing, play and engage in fun activi ties, followed by a wonderful Shabbat Kiddush lunch together. https://bit. ly/3rBWd03.

e

s i t i o

a

c e d b a s e

c l i e

Hélène Grimaud, Piano – 8 p.m. The in ternationally acclaimed French classi cal pianist makes a rare appearance in the Southeast at the Schwartz Center for a transformative recital perfor mance featuring Kreisleriana, Op. 16–one of Robert Schumann’s finest com positions for solo piano–along with selected works by Chopin, Debussy, and Ukrainian composer Valentin Sil vestrov. Purchase tickets at https://bit. ly/3Ru5xMR.

The Great Big Challah Bake - 7 to 9 p.m. The Jewish Women’s Connection of Atlanta’s (JWCA) Great Big Challah Bake returns to the MJCCA. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3SjfSN6.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

8th Season Begins of Congregation Beth Shalom Mini Movie Series – 7 to 9 p.m. Join Congregation Beth Sha lom for this fascinating story. “Live and Become” – In 1985 in a crowded refugee camp in Sudan, a nine-yearold boy’s mother watches as another woman’s son dies in her arms. This woman, who will become his adoptive mother, is about to be airlifted from a Sudanese refugee camp to Israel dur ing Mossad’s Operation Moses in 1984. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3UGfQAv.\

Kabbalah & Coffee - 9:30 to 11 a.m. A Weekly Study Series with Rabbi Ari Sollish and Young Jewish Profession als Atlanta. Discuss, explore, and jour ney through the world of Jewish mys tical teaching and learn how to apply these profound teachings to your daily life. For more information visit https://bit.ly/3LP4o11

r e c o v e r y p l

E v o l v e f

M e n t

t s ( 1

) i n t o a h e a l t h y , s e l f s u f f i c i e n t l i f e w i t h l a s t i n g s u p p o r t a n d e n g a g e m e n t

Author Talks, Q & A, and Book Signings November 3−21, 2022

Don’t miss one of the most highly regarded cultural events in the Southeast!

Hear from, meet,

Book Festival is truly unlike any other.

thought leaders, and pop culture

Thursday, Nov 3 • 7:30 pm

Jon Meacham

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle

Saturday, Nov 5 • 8:00 pm

Melissa Rivers

Lies My Mother Told Me: Tall Tales from a Short Woman

Sunday, Nov 6 • 7:00 pm

Bernie Marcus with Catherine Lewis Kick Up Some Dust

Wednesday, Nov 9 • 7:30 pm

Julia Haart

Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lingerie

Saturday, Nov 12 • 8:00 pm

Andrew Young and Ernie Suggs

The Many Lives of Andrew Young

Sunday, Nov 13 • 7:30 pm

Nikki R. Haley

If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons from Bold Women

Tuesday, Nov 15 • 7:30 pm

Daughter of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward Clea Newman Soderlund

The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man: A Memoir by Paul Newman

Saturday, Nov 19 • 8:00 pm

Nyle DiMarco

Deaf Utopia: A Memoir — and a Love Letter to a Way of Life

The Lowdown

I Bet You Didn’t Know … Sherry Frank

Atlanta is chock full of interesting movers and shakers…some bent on creativity, empire building, activism and/or just plain having fun and living the good life. Lean in to hear some off-the-cuff remarks as to what makes our spotlight, Sherry Frank, tick.

Frank retired in September 2006 after serving for 25 years as the Southeast Area executive director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC). A community activist and intergroup relations specialist, Frank helped initiate the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition, Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta and has been centrally involved in a wide array of interethnic and interfaith activities.

She led several interfaith trips to Israel and participated in the first World Pilgrimage of Jews, Christians and Muslims traveling to Turkey. Frank helped establish Congregation Or Hadash in 2001 and served as president of the congregation from 2009-2011. She has previously served on the boards of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and MAZON, a Jewish nonprofit that addresses food insecurity.

Currently co-president of NCJW Atlanta Section, Frank served as president from 1973-1975 and currently serves on the boards of the AJC, Congregation Or Hadash, Birthright Israel Foundation and the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation. In 2019, she published her personal and profes sional story, “A Passion to Serve: Memoirs of a Jewish Activist.”

To Atlanta native and mother of four children and 11 grandchildren, happy birthday Sher ry, who will turn 80 on Nov. 11.

To what do you owe your resilience?

My mother died when I was 11. As a single parent, she taught me survival skills that helped face life challenges.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Salty snacks and pizza.

By whom were you star struck?

[Former Georgia Congressman] John Lewis. We were in the chambers for his inauguration in 1987 in the House of Representatives. My son sat on one of Congressman Lewis’ knees while his son sat on the other.

My kids say, “I’m too --------?”

Generous. They leave my house with enough food for three days.

What’s something silly we don’t know about you?

I cry very easily…even watching a TV advertisement.

If they were to make a movie about your life, who should play the lead? Meryl Streep.

Your most exotic vacay.

Maybe not as exotic, as heartwarming. I visited Jews struggling to leave the Soviet Union in 1987. I carried letters from Coretta Scott King to hand deliver to women whose husbands were in prison.

What’s your happy place?

Watching a musical at [Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at] City Springs. But note that I absolutely cannot carry a tune. “Anything Goes” was terrific.

What advice would you like to leave for your grandkids?

Make your life count. Build bridges with people different than yourself.

Reported by Marcia Caller Jaffe

THE HOME OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL

There’s only one home for the traditions, stories and iconic figures of the 150 years of Saturdays: The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.

Butternut Squash Slab Pie

Preference: Parve

Difficulty: Medium

Occasion: Sukkot

Ingredients

2 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed or 2 (24-ounce) bags of frozen butternut squash

3 tablespoons Gefen Canola Oil

1 large onion, diced

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups Gefen Breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons kosher salt freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 package puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed 1 egg, for egg wash

Start Cooking

Prepare the Filling

In a medium saucepan, cook the squash in boiling water until soft, approxi mately 20 minutes. Drain well and mash. Set aside to cool.

In a medium skillet, sauté diced onions in oil until translucent. Add to mashed squash. Add the sugar, thyme, and nutmeg. Whisk in eggs. Stir in bread crumbs. Set aside.

Prepare the Pie

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a quarter sheet pan with parch ment paper.

On a lightly floured silicone mat or work surface, roll out one piece of dough to a 10- by 15-inch rectangle. Transfer dough to the prepared pan. Gently press the dough into the edges of the pan and trim off excess dough, leaving a 3/4-inch overhang around all edges.

Pour filling into pan and spread out to fill evenly.

Roll out your remaining piece of dough into a 13-inch-long rectangle. Cut into strips to create lattice top. Weave the lattice strips on the top of the pie. Trim any overhanging dough.

Using leaf shape cookie cutters, cut an assortment of leaves from the dough scraps. Brush the egg wash on top of the leaves and position on the pie as de sired.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and filling is set. Ro tate pie halfway through cooking to achieve even browning. Serve warm.

Source: Recipe by: The Peppermill

Judaism

Some more esoteric forms of Judaism:

Cardiac Judaism: “In my heart I am a Jew.”

Gastronomic Judaism: “I eat Jewish foods.”

Checkbook Judaism: “I give to Jewish causes.”

Drop-off Judaism: “I drop the kids off at Sunday Hebrew classes.”

Twice-a-year Judaism: “I attend services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.”

YIDDISH WORD

Schmeglitchnik

n. A person given to constantly making small mistakes, especially when delivering a speech.

“Mordechai has to start the same sentence over 15 times before he gets it right. And half the time, he still doesn’t get it right. That’s the way it goes when you’re a schmeglitchnik.”

From the Yiddish prefix sch-, most often used in put-down words like schmendrick and schlimazel. And from the English glitch, meaning a minor malfunction. Glitch may have Yiddish roots, derived from the word glitsh, meaning slippery place.

Sukkot Mix Up

By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com

DOWN

World Cup host

Anna

Anna

with scents

of mitzvah

eliminate, in a way

story, for short

system component

Series

It may be spotted on kids?

Could be

Big (Jewish) name in Ukraine

Powerful politician

Noah and Lawrence

Ken, in Israel

Runs, for one

Regret

One way to go down Mount

Get litigious

Sources of suffering

Son of Seth

Chewy antacid

to med or op

Teachers’ lobbying org.

team

may be bookmarked

relative

Leader chooser

Like the views atop Masada

Get angry

St. venue

who would eat matzah but

the korban pesach

hand

wrote

who may not be

Cup

creator, to fans

brand

to fans

and some deer

Kosher pizza option in Crown

drive letters

G.I. Joe’s company

Opera solo

“Shalom”, to Pierre

A Swiss roll (or Swiss call)

You might ride one near Masada

Common rhyme scheme

Actress Sorvino of “Quiz Show”

Jetsam of 1773

Any of the Florida Keys: Abbr.

Cable channel since 1981

Italy’s equivalent of the BBC

GPS task, for short

Sch. where Larry Bird played

ball

Perhaps the funniest Jew of all time (first name)

OBITUARIES

Ele Eisenberg 93, Cleveland

On the 8th of October, Ele Eisenberg left this earth after 93 wonderful years. She had chocolate ice cream for breakfast and soon after closed her eyes forever.

Ele lived a long life full of love, joy, and personal success. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1929, her family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1939 and then back to Cleveland when she married. She loved the jewelry business and opened “Ele’s Jewelry shop” at Cedar Center in Cleveland for 20 years. She enjoyed a thriving business and a reputa tion for honesty.

When not working at her store, she raised her family, taught Sunday school at Temple on the Heights, and loved playing canasta and mahjong. She made the most delicious stuffed cabbage and chopped liver the old-fashioned way. She is survived by a brother, Dan Spitzberg (Suzanne), a daughter Cindy Lewis (Shalom), Son Marc Kap pelman (Bonnie), Grandchildren, Ashley Klein, Hadley Klein (Taissa), Hal Kappelman (Zoe), Lynda Kolodenker (Gennady), and 4 great-grandchildren. She leaves behind sweet memories of a long creative life. We will miss her smile, her kindness, and her love.

The funeral was held graveside at Arlington Memorial Park on Wednesday, Octo ber 12, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care.

Khalil Abraham Iny 83, Atlanta

Khalil Abraham Iny, 83, passed away on Sept. 19, in Atlanta. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Khalil, also known as Kelly, came to the Unit ed States as a teenager. He studied at a board ing school in New York City. After gradua tion from high school, he moved to Atlanta to study and pursue a career in mechanical engi neering. During his college years, he became temporarily disconnected from his family in Baghdad, due to political unrest in his home country. In the 1980s, he met and married Adrienne Joy Cohen in Atlanta. They enjoyed both domestic and international travels, at tended various cultural events and main tained an active social life. They remained happily married until her passing in March of 2021.

Kelly was a member of the YMCA in Atlanta where he was able to pursue his love of athletics, particularly tennis. He was a devoted member of the AA Synagogue and maintained close relationships with everyone there until his passing. He always en joyed interacting with friends and was interested especially in discussions about the stock market. He was fascinated by global economic markets and how they were im pacted by current events.

He managed many unique engineering projects over the course of more than 40 years. These projects included creating the large Coca-Cola bottle which used to grace the Fulton County Stadium, and the dinosaur found at the foot of the circular stairs at Fernbank Science Center. He loved his work so much that he worked until the age of 80, when he finally retired due to physical mobility issues and a need to be caretaker for his wife, Adrienne.

Kelly was a proud man. He worked extremely hard all his life and never com plained. Even during difficult times, he looked at the glass as being half full rather than half empty. Always smiling and joking, he made sure he thanked those around him for everything. He loved his family more than anything in the world even though he and his family lived oceans apart. He will surely be missed by all of us who were so lucky to have him in our lives.

Khalil is predeceased by his parents, Abraham Iny and Sabiha Iny, and his sister, Bertha Iny Rahamim. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Jack Iny, Joseph Iny, Joyce Iny Dayan, Eva Iny Dloomy and Mayer Iny, as well as his son, Nathan.

A graveside funeral was held at Greenwood Cemetery on Sept. 21 in Atlanta. The funeral was livestreamed for everyone that could not attend. To sign the online guest book, visit www.dresslerjewishfunerals.com.

Jeremy Matthew Rosenberg Atlanta

Dr. Jeremy Matthew Rosenberg, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on Sept. 26. Jeremy grew up in Atlanta, Ga. and attended Woodward Academy. He went to University of Georgia where he was a member of Tau Epsilon Phi and where he met his wife and best friend of over 23 years, Amy Shuman Rosenberg. Jeremy and Amy live in Dunwoody, Ga. and are members of Congregation B’nai Torah. Jeremy is survived by Amy, their two daughters, Sarah and Hailey Rosenberg, and their two dogs, Breaker and Lily.

Jeremy attended Case Western Dental School and was a member of Alpha Omega, the dental fraternity. Jeremy’s dental practice, Peachtree Dunwoody Dental Group, ser viced the metro Atlanta area for 17 years.

Jeremy was Amy’s true partner in life and love; and they enjoyed spending time hik ing with their dogs at the river, traveling with their family and friends, relaxing at home, attending concerts and movies, and going on their evening walks and catching up with their neighbors.

Jeremy was an adoring father and he loved to spend time with his daughters baking, laughing, and attending their activities.

Jeremy cherished his nephews, laughing and wrestling with them during their visits.

Jeremy loved spending time with his friends, whom he considered family.

He cared about his patients, most of whom were with him from the beginning of his practice, and his dedicated staff.

Jeremy was super handy and could fix anything, especially related to cars. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved comedy and jokes. He was an avid fan of history, especially anything to do with World War Two. Jeremy always had music playing in the background and loved live music, especially the Grateful Dead and Tom Petty. He was a wonderful role model and member of the community, known as hardworking, honest, caring, thoughtful and always looking for ways to help others.

Even in death, Jeremy, as an organ donor, will be helping numerous individuals receive lifesaving transplants that will extend and improve the recipient’s lives and

their families.

Jeremy is survived by his wife, Amy, and his daughters, Sarah and Hailey, his mother, Susan, and step-father, Howard Rothman; his grandmother, Diane Plochl, his father, Paul, and step-mother, Cathy Rosenberg; brother, Joshua Rosenberg, and sis ter-in-law, Alison Fine; and nephews, Max and Levi Rosenberg; sister Lisa Rosenberg; mother-in-law, Mona Shuman and Gerald H. Shuman (OBM); sister-in-law, Eileen J. Shuman; step-siblings, Michael and Rhonda Rothman, Aviva and Clemens Reuter, Karen and Murray Diamond, and Sheindle and Jack Rudniki; and aunts, uncles, neph ews, nieces, and cousins who will miss him every day.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, Sept.28, 2022, at 3:30 p.m. at Arling ton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to LifeLink Foundation Dona tion or Congregation B’nai Torah. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care.

Happy New Year!

LEADING THE WAY

Voted Cobb County’s Best Assisted Living & Retirement Communities 4 Years in a Row

“We’re honored that both Sterling Estates Communities have been recognized as ‘Best of Cobb’ for Retirement Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care again in 2022. I’m proud to say that it’s the 4th year in a row we’ve won these awards and an awesome tribute to our staff members. We’ve been serving seniors in greater Atlanta for over 25+ years now...we invite you to come and experience what sets us apart.”

Gill,

“What I’ve learned is that all communities talk about wellness and socialization... but they don't have the that Sterling Estates has. No one can match what

provides for their residents. My parents

Sterling

yours

Albert Tenenbaum

94, Atlanta

Albert Tenenbaum, Avraham Ben Aharon v’ Chasya, age 94, passed away peace fully in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in New York, the Tenenbaum family moved to Atlanta when Albert was a young child. He graduated from Boys High and attended Georgia Tech until he joined his family in the grocery business.

He met his wife, Tillie, in 1949 and knew immediately she was the one for him. Their courtship was long distance while he served in the Korean War. His letters to her captured her heart and they were married in 1954. Albert built the Great Savings grocery store and was a savvy businessman. He also dabbled in commercial real estate with his Galanti/Benator/Werbin families. His business reputation was built on hon esty, fairness, and a straight-forward approach. He was a life-time member at Congrega tion Shearith Israel and a long-time member of Congregation Or VeShalom.

Albert was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 66 years, Tillie Galanti Tenen baum (of blessed memory). He was a dedicated father to Charlotte (Joel) Marks, Lenore (Scott) Kaye, and Toby (David) Fagin. He was also a devoted grandfather to Andrew (Chevi) Marks, Steven (Sherry) Marks, Adam (Chelsea) Fagin, Megan (Jordan) Remer and Lauren Fagin. He was blessed with eight great-grandchildren, who brought him tre mendous joy. Graveside services were held at Arlington Memorial Park on Sunday, Oct. 9. To honor Albert’s memory, donations can be made to Congregation Or VeShalom, Congregation Shearith Israel or a charity of your choosing. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care.

Gary M. Unell 75, Atlanta

Gary M. Unell, age 75, of Atlanta, died Sept. 30 after a courageous battle with meta static prostate cancer. Born and raised in Atlanta and a graduate of Grady High School and the University of Tennessee, Gary was an avid Vols and Atlanta professional sports team fan.

He was a skilled golfer who was able to “shoot his age” into his early 70s. Gary’s professional endeavors included real estate investments and co-owning a successful home-building business for over 40 years.

Although he was loyal to his sports team and his work, his love and loyalty to his family and friends was unparalleled. He was a devoted brother, husband, father, and grandfather who thoroughly enjoyed attending family member performances, sporting events and celebrations.

Gary will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife of 51 years, Renée, who he adoringly called “Red,” his son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Hilary, and their children, Harris and Sara, his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Lauren, and their children, Riley and Miller, his sister and brother-in-law, Arleen and Terry Golden, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Elsie and Mark Schiff, his brother-in-law and sisterin-law, Edward and Debbie Levin, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lynda and Rick Strusiner, his uncle, Bernard Unell, Renée’s Aunt Eleanor Zuber, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends, many of whom were by his side since childhood. The family would like to recognize his dedicated caregivers, especially Gabriel K.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice or the Jim Valvano “V” Foundation. Funeral services were held on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal officiating. Arrange ments by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

Got old issues?